Method of forming metal complex compound, and organic electroluminescence device

ABSTRACT

To provide methods of forming fluorescence-producing organometallic complexes which can ensure high durability when used in organic electroluminescence devices. For example, a compound 106 is prepared in accordance with the following reaction scheme.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/872,356, filed Aug. 31, 2010, now allowed, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2009-201148, filed Aug. 31, 2009, and 2010-076448, filed Mar. 29, 2010, all of which applications are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to methods of forming metal complex compounds, and to organic electroluminescence devices. More specifically, the invention relates to methods of forming fluorescent organic metal complexes, especially methods of forming fluorescent organic metal complexes for use in organic electroluminescence devices (light emitting devices, or EL devices), and with organic electroluminescence devices made by using such the organic metal complexes.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, organic metal complexes have received attention as functional materials such as new display materials, memory materials, photosensitizing dyes and chemical sensor dyes. By using fluorescent organic metal complexes in particular in organic electroluminescence devices, the device efficiency has improved and performance enhancement has been achieved.

Organic electroluminescence (EL) devices can produce light emission of high intensity through the application of low voltage, and therefore attention has been given to them as promising display devices. One of important characteristic values of such an organic electroluminescence device is power consumption. The power consumption is expressed as the product of voltage and electric current, and the lower the voltage required for the device to attain a desired brightness and the smaller value the electric current is reduced to, the lower the power consumption of the device can be made.

Fluorescent materials have been used for the purpose of reducing the power consumption of such devices, and thereby improvements in device efficiency have been underway. As the fluorescent materials, iridium complexes and platinum complexes have been known (see e.g. JP-A-2001-247859 and JP-A-2007-19462), but they haven't allowed development of devices having compatibility between high efficiency and high durability yet.

In order to incorporate fluorescent materials into organic electroluminescence devices, there is a necessity to establish methods of chemically preparing metal complexes, notably fluorescent iridium complexes and platinum complexes, with high yield and high purity.

As methods for synthesizing iridium complexes and platinum complexes, there are the method of synthesizing them by allowing chlorine-bridged metal dimers and ligands to react with each other in the presence of a silver salt (Inorg. Chem., 1994, 33, 545-550 and J. Mater. Chem., 2003, 13, 80-83), the method of synthesizing them from chlorine-bridged metal dimers by way of β-diketoner containing complexes (Inorg. Chem., 2001, 40, 1704-1711), the method of synthesizing them by allowing tris(β-diketonato) complexes and ligands to react with each other (Inorg. Chem., 1991, 30, 1685-1687), and so on. However, decomposition products resulting from high-temperature reaction and impurities of starting material origin were included in the products obtained by using those synthesis methods, and they constituted a factor causing deterioration in durability of devices.

Complexes having 5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings as partial structures of ligands, notably blue-fluorescent material-oriented complexes, tend to cause decomposition reaction at high temperatures, and a minute quantity of decomposed matter resulting from the reaction is apt to get mixed in devices. In addition, by-products tend to be formed (tend to take coordination forms other than intended ones). Therefore their yields are low, and besides, there were cases in which products themselves were not obtained.

Alternatively, methods of forming complexes by metal-metal exchange reaction have been also proposed. As to complexes having 5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings as partial structures of ligands, however, high-acidity hydrogen atoms of the 5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings cause exchange reaction with metals (Tetrahedron Letters, 1996, 27, 4095-4098), and therefore it has been difficult to synthesize complexes having intended coordination forms.

SUMMARY

With respect to the problem in Tetrahedron Letters, 1996, 27, 4095-4098, hydrogen atoms in 5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings cause no exchange reaction with metals so long as the syntheses are conducted by way of the invention's proposed compounds of structure represented by the formula (1a), and therefore it becomes possible to synthesize complexes in intended coordination forms by metal-metal exchange reaction.

Although compounds represented by the following formula (1a) are generally prepared from halogen-substituted compounds thereof, the invention proposes a synthesis method using halogen-free ligands as starting materials, and metal complexes prepared according to the present synthesis method resist being contaminated with halogen as impurity. It has been suggested that halogen impurity is a factor responsible for the lowered durability of devices, and therefore the use of metal complexes prepared in the invention is expected to bring about an improvement in device durability.

Objects of the invention are to provide methods of synthesizing metal complexes which, when used in organic electroluminescence devices, ensure improvements in device durability, and to provide organic electroluminescence devices using such metal complexes.

These objects are attained with embodiments of the invention as described below.

[1]

A method of forming a compound having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered ring as a partial structure of a ligand through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction, wherein the compound is represented by the following formula (1) and formed by allowing a compound represented by the following formula (1a) to react with a compound represented by the following formula (1b).

In formula (1a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴ and D¹¹ to D¹³ have the same meanings as A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴ and D¹¹ to D¹³ in the formula (1), respectively. [L_(k) ¹¹M¹¹(μ−Y)]₂  (1b)

Formula (1b) stands for a bridged metal dimmer; Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR¹³, R¹³COO, SR¹³ or N(R¹³)₂; each of R¹³s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group; k is 2 when M¹¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M¹¹ is Pt; L¹¹ and M¹¹ have the same meanings as L¹¹ and M¹¹ in the formula (1), respectively.

In formula (1), M¹¹ represents Ir or Pt; each of A¹¹s independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom; each of B¹¹ to B¹⁴ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R¹¹, R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R¹¹ may be the same as or different from every other R¹¹; each of D¹¹ to D¹³ independently represents an atom selected from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and silicon; each of the bonds between atoms in the 5-membered ring formed from D¹¹ to D¹³, A¹¹ and an N atom represents a single bond or a double bond; each of D¹¹ to D¹³ may have a substituent as long as it can undergo further substitution; L¹¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand; n represents an integer of 1 to 3 and m represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or 3.

[2]

The forming method according to [1], wherein the compound represented by the formula (1a) is a compound represented by the following formula (2a), the compound represented by the formula (1b) is a compound represented by the following formula (2b) and the compound represented by the formula (1) is a compound represented by the following formula (2).

In formula (2a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; R²¹ and B²¹ to B²⁷ have the same meanings as R²¹ and B²¹ to B²⁷ in the formula (2), respectively. [L²¹ _(k)M²¹(μ−Y)]₂  (2b)

Formula (2b) stands for a bridged metal dimmer; Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR²³, R²³COO, SR²³ or N(R²³)₂, each of R²³s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group; k is 2 when M²¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M²¹ is Pt; L²¹ and M²¹ have the same meanings as L²¹ and M²¹ in the formula (2), respectively.

In formula (2), M²¹ represents Ir or Pt; R²¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R²¹ may be the same as or different from every other R²¹; each of B²¹ to B²⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R²², R²² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R²² may be the same as or different from every other R²²; L²¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand; n represents an integer of 1 to 3 and m represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or 3.

[3]

The forming method according to [1], wherein the compound represented by the formula (1a) is a compound represented by the following formula (3a), the compound represented by the formula (1b) is a compound represented by the following formula (3b) and the compound represented by the formula (1) is a compound represented by the following formula (3).

In formula (3a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ have the same meanings as R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ in the formula (3), respectively. [L³¹ _(k)M³¹(μ−Y)]₂  (3b)

In formula (3b), Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR³³, R³³COO, SR³³ or N(R³³)₂; each of R³³s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group; k is 2 when M³¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M³¹ is Pt; L³¹ and M³¹ have the same meanings as L³¹ and M³¹ in the formula (3), respectively.

In formula (3), M³¹ represents Ir or Pt; R³¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R³¹ may be the same as or different from every other R³¹; each of B³¹ to B³⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R³², R³² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R³² may be the same as or different from every other R³²; L³¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand; n represents an integer of 1 to 3 and m represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or 3.

[4]

The forming method according to [1], wherein the compound represented by the formula (1a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (1c) and at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals and alkylmagnesium halides.

In formula (1c), A¹¹, to B¹⁴ and D¹¹ to D¹³ have the same meanings as A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴ and D¹¹ to D¹³ in the formula (1a), respectively.

[5]

The forming method according to [2], wherein the compound represented by the formula (2a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (2c) and at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals and alkylmagnesium halides.

In formula (2c), R²¹ and B²¹ to B²⁷ have the same meanings as R²¹ and B²¹ to B²⁷ in the formula (2a), respectively.

[6]

The forming method according to [3], wherein the compound represented by the formula (3a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (3c) and at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals and alkylmagnesium halides.

In formula (3c), R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ have the same meanings as R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ in the formula (3a), respectively.

[7]

A method of forming a compound having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered ring as a partial structure of a ligand through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction, wherein the compound is represented by the following formula (4) and formed by allowing a compound represented by the following formula (4a) to react with a compound represented by the following formula (4b).

In formula (4a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; R⁴¹, A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ to D⁴³ have the same meanings as R⁴¹, A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ to D⁴³ in the formula (4), respectively. [L⁴¹ _(k)M⁴¹(μ−Y)]₂  (4b)

Formula (4b) stands for a bridged metal dimmer; Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR⁴², R⁴²COO, Se or N(R⁴²)₂; each of R⁴²s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group; k is 2 when M⁴¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M⁴¹ is Pt; L⁴¹ and M⁴¹ have the same meanings as L⁴¹ and M⁴¹ in the formula (4), respectively.

In formula (4), M⁴¹ represents Ir or Pt; each of R⁴¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; each of A⁴¹s represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom; each of D⁴¹ to D⁴³ independently represents an atom selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and silicon; each of the bonds between atoms in the 5-membered ring formed from D⁴¹ to D⁴³, A⁴¹ and a C atom represents a single bond or a double bond; each of D⁴¹ to D⁴³ may have a substituent as long as it can undergo further substitution; L⁴¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand; n represents an integer of 1 to 3 and m represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or 3.

[8]

The forming method according to [7], wherein the compound represented by the formula (4a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (4c) and at least one reactant chosen from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In formula (4c), R⁴¹, A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ to D⁴³ have the same meanings as R⁴¹, A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ to D⁴³ in the formula (4a), respectively.

[9]

A method of forming a compound having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered ring as a partial structure of a ligand through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction wherein the compound is represented by the following formula (5) and formed by allowing a compound represented by the following formula (5a) to react with a compound represented by the following formula (5b) or (5c).

In formula (5a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; A⁵¹, B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ and D⁵¹ to D⁵³ have the same meanings as A⁵¹, B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ and D⁵¹ to D⁵³ in the formula (5), respectively. M⁵¹(ZR⁵² ₂)_(m)X_(m)  (5b)

In formula (5b), X is Cl, Br, or I; Z is an O atom or an S atom; each of R⁵²s is independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent; M⁵¹ has the same meaning as M⁵¹ in the formula (5); m is 3 when M⁵¹ is Ir, while m is 2 when M⁵¹ is Pt.

In formula (5c), X is Cl, Br or I; each of R⁵³s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; M⁵¹ has the same meaning as M⁵¹ in the formula (5); m is 3 when M⁵¹ is Ir, while m is 2 when M⁵¹ is Pt.

In formula (5), M⁵¹ represents Ir or Pt; each of A⁵¹s independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom; each of B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R⁵¹, R⁵¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R⁵¹ may be the same as or different from every other R⁵¹; each of D⁵¹ to D⁵³ independently represents an atom selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon; each of the bonds between atoms in the 5-membered ring formed from D⁵¹ to D⁵³, A⁵¹ and an N atom represents a single bond or a double bond; each of D⁵¹ to D⁵³ may have a substituent as long as it can undergo further substitution; n is 3 when M⁵¹ is Ir, while n is 2 when M⁵¹ is Pt.

[10]

The forming method according to [9], wherein the compound represented by the formula (5a) is a compound represented by the following formula (6a), the compound represented by the formula (5b) is a compound represented by the following formula (6b), the compound represented by the formula (5c) is a compound represented by the following formula (6c) and the compound represented by the formula (5) is a compound represented by the following formula (6).

In formula (6a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; R⁶¹ and B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ have the same meanings as R⁶¹ and B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ in the formula (6), respectively. M⁶¹(ZR⁶³ ₂)_(m)X_(m)  (6b)

In formula (6b), X is Cl, Br, or I; Z is an O atom or an S atom; each of R⁶³s is independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent; M⁶¹ has the same meaning as M⁶¹ in the formula (6); m is 3 when M⁶¹ is Ir, while m is 2 when M⁶¹ is Pt.

In formula (6c), X is Cl, Br or I; each of R⁶⁴s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; M⁶¹ has the same meaning as M⁶¹ in the formula (6); m is 3 when M⁶¹ is Ir, while m is 2 when M⁶¹ is Pt.

In formula (6), M⁶¹ represents Ir or Pt; each of R⁶¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R⁶¹ may be the same or different from every other R⁶¹; each of B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R⁶², R⁶² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R⁶² may be the same as or different from every other R⁶²; n is 3 when M⁶¹ is Ir, while n is 2 when M⁶¹ is Pt.

[11]

The forming method according to [9], wherein the compound represented by the formula (5a) is a compound represented by the following formula (7a), the compound represented by the formula (5b) is a compound represented by the following formula (7b), the compound represented by the formula (5c) is a compound represented by the following formula (7c) and the compound represented by the formula (5) is a compound represented by the following formula (7).

In formula (7a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; R⁷¹ and B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ have the same meanings as R⁷¹ and B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ in the formula (7), respectively. M⁷¹(ZR⁷³ ₂)_(m)X_(m)  (7b)

In formula (7b), X is Cl, Br, or I; Z is an O atom or an S atom; each of R⁷³s is independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent; M⁷¹ has the same meaning as M⁷¹ in the formula (7); m is 3 when M⁷¹ is Ir, while m is 2 when M⁷¹ is Pt.

In formula (7c), X is Cl, Br or I; each of R⁷⁴s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; M⁷¹ has the same meaning as M⁷¹ in the formula (7); m is 3 when M⁷¹ is Ir, while m is 2 when M⁷¹ is Pt.

In formula (7), M⁷¹ represents Ir or Pt; each of R⁷¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R⁷¹ may be the same or different from every other R⁷¹; each of B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R⁷², R⁷² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R⁷² may be the same as or different from every other R⁷²; n is 3 when M⁷¹ is Ir, while n is 2 when M⁷¹ is Pt.

[12]

The forming method according to [9], wherein the compound represented by the formula (5a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (5d) and at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In formula (5d), A⁵¹, B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ and D⁵¹ to D⁵³ have the same meanings as A⁵¹, B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ and D⁵¹ to D⁵³ in the formula (5a), respectively.

[13]

The forming method according to [10], wherein the compound represented by the formula (6a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (6d) and at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In formula (6d), R⁶¹ and B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ have the same meanings as R⁶¹ and B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ in the formula (6a), respectively.

[14]

The forming method according to [11], wherein the compound represented by the formula (7a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (7d) and at least one reactant chosen from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In formula (7d), R⁷¹ and B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ have the same meanings as R⁷¹ and B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ in the formula (7a), respectively.

[15]

A method of forming a compound having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered ring as a partial structure of a ligand through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction, wherein the compound is represented by the following formula (8) and manufactured by allowing a compound represented by the following formula (8a) to react with a compound represented by the following formula (8b) or (8c).

In formula (8a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; R⁸¹, A⁸¹ and D⁸¹ to D⁸³ have the same meanings as R⁸¹, A⁸¹ and D⁸¹ to D⁸³ in the formula (8), respectively. M⁸¹(ZR⁸² ₂)_(m)X_(m)  (8b)

In formula (8b), X is Cl, Br, or I; Z is an O atom or an S atom; each of R⁸²s is independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent; M⁸¹ has the same meaning as M⁸¹ in the formula (8); m is 3 when M⁸¹ is Ir, while m is 2 when M⁸¹ is Pt.

In formula (8c), X is Cl, Br or I; each of R⁸³s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; M⁸¹ has the same meaning as M⁸¹ in the formula (8), and m is 3 when M⁸¹ is Ir, while m is 2 when M⁸¹ is Pt.

In formula (8), M⁸¹ represents Ir or Pt; each of R⁸¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; each of A⁸¹s independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, each of D⁸¹ to D⁸³ independently represents an atom chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon; each of the bonds between in the 5-membered ring formed from D⁸¹ to D⁸³, A⁸¹ and a C atom represents a single bond or a double bond; each of D⁸¹ to D⁸³ may have a substituent as long as it can undergo further substitution; n is 3 when M⁸¹ is Ir, while n is 2 when M⁸¹ is Pt.

[16]

The forming method according to [15], wherein the compound represented by the formula (8a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (8d) and at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In formula (8d), R⁸¹, A⁸¹ and D⁸¹ to D⁸³ have the same meanings as R⁸¹, A⁸¹ and D⁸¹ to D⁸³ in the formula (8a), respectively.

[17]

A compound formed by the forming method according to any one of [1] to [16] and represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (8).

[18]

An organic electroluminescence device material, which is a compound formed by the forming method according to any one of [1] to [16] and represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (8), wherein the compound has a Li atom and ion content of 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm.

[19]

An organic electroluminescence device material, which is a compound manufactured by the forming method according to any one of [1] to [16] and represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (8), wherein the compound has an Mg atom and ion content of 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm.

[20]

An organic electroluminescence device having: a pair of electrodes; and at least one organic layer provided between the pair of electrodes, which includes a light emitting layer, wherein at least one layer included in the organic layer contains a compound formed by the forming method according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (8).

[21]

An organic electroluminescence device having: a pair of electrodes; and at least one organic layer provided between a pair of electrodes, which includes a light emitting layer, wherein the light emitting layer contains a compound formed by the forming method according to any one of [1] to [16] and represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (8).

[22]

A light emission apparatus using the organic electroluminescence devices according to [20] or [21].

[23]

A display apparatus using the organic electroluminescence devices according to [20] or [21].

[24]

An illumination apparatus using the organic electroluminescence devices according to [20] or [21].

Embodiments of the invention are methods of forming compounds represented by the formulae (1) to (8) which have nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered rings as partial structures of ligands thereof through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction. By carrying out the reaction at a low temperature in particular, decomposition reaction and side reaction of the 5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings are retarded, and thus the decomposed-matter contents in light emitting materials are reduced and the yields can be enhanced. In addition, it becomes possible to provide organic EL devices of excellent durability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

A general configuration that implements the various features of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one example of the layer structure of an organic EL device relating to the invention (a first embodiment of the invention);

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing one example of a light emission apparatus relating to the invention (a second embodiment of the invention); and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing one example of an illumination apparatus relating to the invention (a third embodiment of the invention).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention are methods of forming compounds represented by the following formulae (1) to (8) which have nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered rings as partial structures of ligands thereof through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction.

According to the present forming methods, light emitting materials reduced in impurity and decomposed-matter contents can be obtained.

The light emitting materials reduced in impurity and decomposed-matter contents are restrained from causing photoemission quench traceable to impurities and decomposed matter, and therefore it is surmised that the devices using the metal complexes produced in accordance with the present forming methods deliver improved durability.

Moreover, the light emitting materials synthesized from halogen-free ligands yield further improvement in device durability. Since there is a suggestion that halogen impurity is a cause of a drop in device durability, it is surmised that the use of light emitting materials prepared in the invention suppresses photoemission quench caused by halogen impurity and contributes to improvement in device durability.

In addition, it is preferred that metal complexes produced by the present methods contain Li and Mg atoms and Li and Mg ions in minute quantities, preferably in quantities ranging from 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm. These minute quantities of Li and Mg atoms and Li and Mg ions react with impurities and decomposed matter (e.g. halogen, moisture, detached ligands) included in the metal complexes and precipitate out in the form of lithium salts and magnesium salts. Thus they can be deactivated. Although, when metal complexes are stored as they are contaminated with impurities and decomposed matter, there is apprehension that photoemission quenchers are formed by reaction of metal complexes with the impurities and the decomposed matter, the presence of minute quantities of Li and Mg atoms and Li and Mg ions is thought to restrain the formation of photoemission quanchers and thereby to enhance the device durability. However, because Li and Mg ions as well as Li and Mg atoms are hygroscopic, it is preferred that their content in each metal complex be 50 ppm or below. Additionally, ppm is by mass.

[Compounds Represented by Formula (1)]

One forming method according to the invention is a method of forming compounds having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered rings as partial structures of ligands thereof through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction, and more specifically, a method of forming compounds represented by the formula (1) by allowing compounds represented by the formula (1a) to react with compounds represented by the formula (1b).

The compounds represented by the formula (1) are illustrated below in detail.

In the formula (1), M¹¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of A¹¹ s independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, each of B¹¹ to B¹⁴ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R¹¹, and R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, wherein each R¹¹ may be the same as or different from every other R¹¹. And each of D¹¹ to D¹³ independently represents an atom chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon. Each of bonds between atoms in the 5-membered ring formed from D¹¹ to D¹³, A¹¹ and an N atom represents a single bond or a double bond. Each of D¹¹ to D¹³ may have a substituent as long as it can undergo further substitution. And L¹¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand. n represents an integer of 1 to 3 and m represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or 3.

A¹¹ represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom and, together with D¹¹ to D¹³ and a nitrogen atom, forms a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered ring.

Each of D¹¹ to D¹³ independently represents an atom chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon. The bonds between atoms in the 5-membered ring formed from D¹¹ to D¹³, A¹¹ and a nitrogen atom, though not particularly restricted, may be any of varying combinations of single and double bonds. Each of D¹¹ to D¹³ is preferably a carbon or nitrogen atom.

The number of nitrogen atoms in the 5-membered ring formed from D¹¹ to D¹³, A¹¹ and a nitrogen atom is preferably from 1 to 3, far preferably 1 or 2, particularly preferably 2.

The 5-membered ring formed from D¹¹ to D¹³, A¹¹ and a nitrogen atom is preferably an aromatic ring.

When each of D¹¹ to D¹³ can further undergo substitution, it may have a substituent selected from among the following substituent group A.

[Substituent Group A]

An alkyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 10, e.g., methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, n-hexadecyl, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl), a cycloalkyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 3 to 30, more preferably from 3 to 20, still more preferably from 3 to 10, e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl), an alkenyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 2 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 20, still more preferably from 2 to 10, e.g., vinyl, allyl, 2-butenyl, 3-pentenyl), an alkynyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 2 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 20, still more preferably from 2 to 10, e.g., propargyl, 3-pentynyl),

an aryl group (preferably having a carbon number of 6 to 30, more preferably from 6 to 20, still more preferably from 6 to 12, e.g., phenyl, p-methylphenyl, naphthyl, anthranyl), an amino group (preferably having a carbon number of 0 to 30, more preferably from 0 to 20, still more preferably from 0 to 10, e.g., amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dibenzylamino, diphenylamino, ditolylamino), an alkoxy group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 10, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, 2-ethylhexyloxy), an aryloxy group (preferably having a carbon number of 6 to 30, more preferably from 6 to 20, still more preferably from 6 to 12, e.g., phenyloxy, 1-naphthyloxy, 2-naphthyloxy), a heterocyclic oxy group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., pyridyloxy, pyrazyloxy, pyrimidyloxy, quinolyloxy),

an acyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., acetyl, benzoyl, formyl, pivaloyl), an alkoxycarbonyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 2 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 20, still more preferably from 2 to 12, e.g., methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl), an aryloxycarbonyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 7 to 30, more preferably from 7 to 20, still more preferably from 7 to 12, e.g., phenyloxycarbonyl), an acyloxy group (preferably having a carbon number of 2 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 20, still more preferably from 2 to 10, e.g., acetoxy, benzoyloxy), an acylamino group (preferably having a carbon number of 2 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 20, still more preferably from 2 to 10, e.g., acetylamino, benzoylamino),

an alkoxycarbonylamino group (preferably having a carbon number of 2 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 20, still more preferably from 2 to 12, e.g., methoxycarbonylamino), an aryloxycarbonylamino group (preferably having a carbon number of 7 to 30, more preferably from 7 to 20, still more preferably from 7 to 12, e.g., phenyloxycarbonylamino), a sulfonylamino group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., methanesulfonylamino, benzenesulfonylamino), a sulfamoyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 0 to 30, more preferably from 0 to 20, still more preferably from 0 to 12, e.g., sulfamoyl, methylsulfamoyl, dimethylsulfamoyl, phenylsulfamoyl),

a carbamoyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl, diethylcarbamoyl, phenylcarbamoyl), an alkylthio group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., methylthio, ethylthio), an arylthio group (preferably having a carbon number of 6 to 30, more preferably from 6 to 20, still more preferably from 6 to 12, e.g., phenylthio), a heterocyclic thio group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., pyridylthio, 2-benzimizolylthio, 2-benzoxazolylthio, 2-benzothiazolylthio),

a sulfonyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., mesyl, tosyl), a sulfinyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., methanesulfinyl, benzenesulfinyl), an ureido group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., ureido, methylureido, phenylureido), a phosphoric acid amido group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 20, still more preferably from 1 to 12, e.g., diethylphosphoric acid amido, phenylphosphoric acid amido), a hydroxy group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom (for example, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom, preferably a fluorine atom),

a cyano group, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a hydroxamic acid group, a sulfino group, a hydrazino group, an imino group, a heterocyclic group (preferably having a carbon number of 1 to 30, more preferably from 1 to 12; examples of the heteroatom include a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom; specifically an imidazolyl group, a pyridyl group, a quinolyl group, a furyl group, a thienyl group, a piperidyl group, a morpholino group, a benzoxazolyl group, a benzimidazolyl group, a benzothiazolyl group, a carbazolyl group, an azepinyl group and the like), a silyl group (preferably having a carbon number of 3 to 40, more preferably from 3 to 30, still more preferably from 3 to 24, e.g., trimethylsilyl, triphenylsilyl), and a silyloxy group (preferably having a carbon number of 3 to 40, more preferably from 3 to 30, still more preferably from 3 to 24, e.g., trimethylsilyloxy, triphenylsilyloxy). These substituents may be further substituted.

In addition, two or more of those substituents may combine with each other to form a ring.

Of those substituents, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfonyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group are preferable to the others. Among these substituents, it is far preferred that a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic group, still more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, an aryl group or a cyano group. In particular, the substituent is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group, and most preferably a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group.

Some of these substituents may also combine with each other and complete a condensed ring, and examples of a ring formed from them include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

As to the 5-membered ring formed from D¹¹ to D¹³, A¹¹ and a nitrogen atom, especially preferred combinations are a case where D¹³ is a nitrogen atom and D¹¹, D¹² and A¹¹ are carbon atoms and a case where A¹¹ is a nitrogen atom and D¹¹ to D¹³ are carbon atoms. These cases are expressed as the following partial structures in the concrete. When the 5-membered ring formed from D¹¹ to D¹³, A¹¹ and a nitrogen atom has either of the following partial structures, the acidity of hydrogen atoms in R^(1a) to R^(1e) is low, and therefore the hydrogen atoms in R^(1a) to R^(1e) resist undergoing hydrogen-metal exchange reaction, and it becomes easy to derive the compound represented by the formula (1a) from a starting material at a high yield. In addition, when either of the following partial structures is present in a compound represented by the formula (1), the lowest excited triplet-state energy level of the compound is heightened. Therefore it is favorable for preparation of a shortwave fluorescent material to have such partial structure in the compound.

Each of R^(1a) to R^(1e) independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. The substituent represented by each of R^(1a) to R^(1e) may further have a substituent and can be chosen from the substituent group A.

Suitable examples of a substituent of the substituent represented by each of R^(1a) to R^(1e) include an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfonyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group. Of these substituents, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic group are preferable to the others, still more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, an aryl group or a cyano group. In particular, the substituent is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group, and most preferably a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group.

Alternatively, R^(1a) and R^(1b), or adjacent two of R^(1c) to R^(1e) may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring, and examples of a ring formed from them include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

Examples of a substituent suitable as each of R^(1a) to R^(1e) include an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group. Among them, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic ring are preferable to the others, and more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group and an aryl group, and the best ones are a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group (preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a cycloalkyl group having 5 to 10 carbon atoms, far preferably a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an iso-propyl group, a butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclohexyl group and an adamantyl group, more preferably a methyl group, an iso-propyl group, a tert-butyl group, a cyclohexyl group and an adamantly group, and still more preferably a methyl group and a tert-butyl group) and an aryl group (preferably an aryl group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, far preferably phenyl, p-methylphenyl, o-methylphenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl, naphthyl and anthranyl, further preferably phenyl, o-methylphenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl and 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl, particularly preferably phenyl and 2,6-dimethylphenyl). It is preferable that at least either of R^(1a) and R^(1b) or at least any one of R^(1c) to R^(1e) is not a hydrogen atom but a substituent. In such cases, the tendency of R^(1a) to R^(1e) to cause hydrogen-metal exchange reaction is reduced, and therefore it becomes easy to derive the compounds represented by the formula (1a) from starting materials at good yields.

It is appropriate that at least either of R^(1a) and R^(1b) be an alkyl group or an aryl group, and that R^(1a) in particular be an alkyl group or an aryl group. As the aryl group, a 2,6-dialkyl-substituted aryl group is suitable.

The 2,6-disubstituted aryl group is preferably a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl group, a 2,6-dimethyl-4-phenylphenyl group, a 2,6-dimethyl-4-(2,6-dimethylpyridine-4-yl)phenyl group, a 2,6-diphenylphenyl group, a 2,6-diphenyl-4-isopropylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-triphenylphenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropyl-4-(4-isopropylphenyl)phenyl group, 2,6-diisopropyl-4-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)phenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropyl-4-(pyridine-4-yl)phenyl group or a 2,6-di(3,5-dimethylphenyl)phenyl group, far preferably a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropylphenyl group or a 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl group, further preferably a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group or a 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl group, particularly preferably a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group.

At least one of R^(1c) to R^(1e) is preferably an alkyl group or an aryl group. It is far preferable that either R^(1c) or R^(1e) is an alkyl group or an aryl group, and it is particularly preferable that R^(1c) is an alkyl group or an aryl group. As the aryl group, a 2,6-dialkyl-substituted aryl group is suitable.

The 2,6-disubstituted aryl group is preferably a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl group, a 2,6-dimethyl-4-phenylphenyl group, a 2,6-dimethyl-4-(2,6-dimethylpyridine-4-yl)phenyl group, a 2,6-diphenylphenyl group, a 2,6-diphenyl-4-isopropylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-triphenylphenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropyl-4-(4-isopropylphenyl)phenyl group, 2,6-diisopropyl-4-(3,5-dimethylphenyl)phenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropyl-4-(pyridine-4-yl)phenyl group or a 2,6-di(3,5-dimethylphenyl)phenyl group, far preferably a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group, a 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl group, a 2,6-diisopropylphenyl group or a 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl group, further preferably a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group or a 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl group, particularly preferably a 2,6-dimethylphenyl group.

R^(2a) represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent chosen from substituents including the substituent group A. Examples of the substituent suitable as R^(2a) include an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group. Of these substituents, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic ring are preferable to the others, and an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group and aryl group are far preferred.

Alternatively, R^(2a) may combine with either R^(1a) or R^(1b) and complete a condensed ring. Examples of a ring formed from these substituents include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

Each of B¹¹ to B¹⁴ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R¹¹, and R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. B¹¹ to B¹⁴ are not particularly restricted as to the combination thereof, but the number of nitrogen atoms in the combination is preferably from 0 to 2, far preferably 0 or 1.

As the substituent represented by R¹¹, any of those recited as the substituent group A can be adopted.

Each R¹¹ may be the same as or different from every other R¹¹. And R¹¹ may further have a substituent, and the substituent can be chosen from those recited as the substituent group A. Alternatively, neighboring R¹¹s may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring, and examples of a ring formed from them include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

When R¹¹ further has a substituent, suitable examples of the substituent include an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group. Of these substituents, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, preferably a methyl group or trifluoromethyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic group are preferable to the others, still more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, an aryl group or a cyano group. In particular, the substituent is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group, and most preferably a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group.

The substituent suitable as R¹¹ is an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an aryloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group or a silyl group. Of these substituents, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic ring are preferable to the others, still more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, an aryl group or a cyano group. In particular, the substituent is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group, and most preferably a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group.

L¹¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand. The bidentate ligand represented by L¹¹ has no particular restriction, but it is preferably a bidentate ligand that L¹¹, together with M¹¹, forms a coordinate bond via its nitrogen atom, and besides, one of its carbon, oxygen and nitrogen atoms and M¹¹ form a covalent bond. And the bidentate ligand far preferred as L¹¹ is a bidentate ligand whose nitrogen atom and M¹¹ form a coordinate bond, and besides, whose carbon atom and M¹¹ form a covalent bond. Examples of such a bidentate ligand include substituted or unsubstituted phenylpyridine, phenylpyrazole, phenylimidazole, pyridylimidazole, phenyltriazole, phenyltetrazole, pyridiylpyridine, imidazolylpyridine, pyrazolylpyridine and triazolylpyridine. Of these ligands, phenylpyridine, phenylpyrazole, phenylimidazole, pyridylimidazole, pyridylpyridine and pyrazolylpyridine are preferable to the others. Additionally, these ligands may further have substituents chosen from the substituent group A.

It is further preferred that L¹¹ have a structure chosen from the following bidentate-ligand group L. In the group L, L-a to L-d are preferred, L-a and L-b are far preferred, and L-a in particular is still far preferred.

Each of R¹⁴s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Each R¹⁴ may be the same as or different from every other R¹⁴. In addition, R¹⁴ may further have a substituent, and the substituent can be chosen from the substituent group A.

Alternatively, neighboring R¹⁴s may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring, and examples of a ring formed from them include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

Suitable examples of R¹⁴ include an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group. Of these substituents, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic group are preferable to the others, still more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, an aryl group or a cyano group. In particular, the substituent is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group, and most preferably a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group.

R¹⁵ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent chosen from substituents including the substituent group A. Suitable examples of the substituent include an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group. Of these substituents, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic group are preferable to the others, and far preferred ones are an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group and an aryl group.

Alternatively, R¹⁵ and a neighboring R¹⁴ may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring, and examples of a ring formed from them include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

n represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when M¹¹ is Ir, n is 3 or 1, preferably 3. When M¹¹ is Pt, n is 2 or 1, preferably 2.

m represents an integer of 0 to 2, and when M¹¹ is Ir, m is 0 or 2, preferably 0. When M¹¹ is Pt, m is 0 or 1, preferably 0.

n+m is 3 when M¹¹ is Ir, while it is 2 when M¹¹ is Pt.

The compounds represented by the formula (1a) are illustrated below.

In the formula (1a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent, and A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴ and D¹¹ to D¹³ have the same meanings as A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴ and D¹¹ to D¹³ in the formula (1), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as those in the formula (1), respectively.

The organometallic compounds (1a) according to the invention are compounds each containing an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, tin or zinc attached to the carbon atom to combine with the central atom (M¹¹) of a complex represented by the formula (1). These metals each may further have an arbitrary organic group. Such an organic group may be chosen from the substituent group A, and it is preferably an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group or a silyl group, far preferably an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom or a heterocyclic group, and particularly preferably an alkyl group and an aryl group. Examples of these organic groups include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group, a cycloheptyl group, a cyclohexyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclopropyl group, an adamantly group, a benzyl group, an allyl group, a vinyl group, an acetyl group, a trimethylsilylmethyl group, a phenyl group, an o-tolyl group, an m-tolyl group, an o-tolyl group, a p-tolyl group, a biphenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthryl group, a diisopropylamido group, bis(trimethylsilyl)amido group, a bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imido group, a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidido group. Of these groups, a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a trimethylsilyl group, a phenyl group, a diisopropylamido group and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidido group are preferable to the others. And far preferred ones are a methyl group, an ethyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a phenyl group, a diisopropylamido group and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidido group, further preferred ones are an ethyl group, an isopropyl group, an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a phenyl group, a diisopropylamido group and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidido group, particularly preferred ones are an ethyl group, an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a phenyl group, a diisopropylamido group and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidido group, and infinitely preferred ones are an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a phenyl group, a diisopropylamido group and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidido group. Of these groups, an n-butyl group, a tert-butyl group and a phenyl group are preferable to the others, and the best ones are an n-butyl group and a tert-butyl group.

In addition, those metals each may further have an inorganic group such as halide.

Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, preferably an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or zinc, far preferably lithium, sodium, magnesium or zinc, further preferably magnesium or zinc. As an organomagnesium compound, the so-called Grignard compound is suitable. This compound is a compound having a halide in addition to a magnesium-aryl bond, namely a compound of aryl-Mg halide type.

Examples of compounds represented by the formula (1a) are illustrated below, but these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

The formula (1b) is described below. [L¹¹ _(k)M¹¹(μ−Y)]₂  (1b)

The formula (1b) stands for a bridged metal dimer, Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR¹³, R¹³COO, SR¹³ or N(R¹³)₂, and each of R¹³s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group. k is 2 when M¹¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M¹¹ is Pt. L¹¹ and M¹¹ have the same meanings as L¹¹ and M¹¹ in the formula (1), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as those in the formula (1), respectively.

μ is a symbol standing for a bridging ligand, and the formula (1b) stands for a binuclear metal complex bridged via the ligand Y. Herein, Y is preferably Cl or Br, particularly preferably Cl. Syntheses of such compounds are described e.g. in Inorg. Chem., 1994, 33, 545, J. Mater. Chem., 2003, 13, 80, and J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1984, 106, 6647.

Examples of compounds represented by the formula (1b) are illustrated below, but these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

In the present forming method, the mole ratio between the compound (1b) which is a bridged metal dimer and the compound (1a) which is a ligand rendered functional by an organic metal, that is (1b):(1a), is preferably from 1:2 to 1:50, far preferably from 1:2 to 1:25, particularly preferably from 1:2 to 1:10.

Examples of a reaction medium which can be used suitably in the reaction between a compound represented by the formula (1a) and a compound represented by the formula (1b) include linear or cyclic ethers, preferably diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), dioxane and tetrahydropyran, oligoethers or polyethers such as poly(ethylene glycol) diethyl ether, linear or cyclic dialkylureas such as hexamethylphosphoric acid amide (HMPA), N,N′-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) and N,N′-dimethylethyleneurea (1,3-dimethylimidazolidine-2-one), aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene, and halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane and chloroform. These reaction solvents are preferably dehydrated (anhydrous) solvents.

In the invention, it is appropriate that the reaction be carried out in a temperature range of −78° C. to 150° C., preferably in a temperature range of −78° C. to 70° C.

In the invention, it is appropriate that the reaction be pursued over 0.5 to 48 hours, preferably over 1 to 24 hours. So long as the reaction time is in such a range, sufficient conversion of a metal-containing starting material used becomes possible, and yield loss and contamination of the product can be prevented.

Additionally, reactions described hereinafter, namely reaction between a compound represented by the formula (2a) and a compound represented by the formula (2b), reaction between a compound represented by the formula (3a) and a compound represented by the formula (3b), and reaction between a compound represented by the formula (4a) and a compound represented by the formula (4b), are performed under the same conditions as specified above.

Among the compounds represented by the formula (1), compounds represented by the following formula (2) are preferred. By taking on a condensed arene ring structure, positions at which a metal (M²¹)-carbon bond and a metal (M²¹)-nitrogen bond are to be formed become limited (because D¹³ and B¹¹ in the formula (1) have undergone substitution), and therefore compounds represented by the formula (2) become easy to synthesize. The compounds represented by the formula (2) can be prepared by allowing compounds represented by the formula (2a) to react with compounds represented by the formula (2b).

In the formula (2), M²¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of R²¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R²¹ may be the same as or different from every other R²¹, each of B²¹ to B²⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R²², and R²² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R²² may be the same as or different from every other R²².

In the formula (2), M²¹, L²¹, n and m have the same meanings as M¹¹, L¹¹, n and m in the formula (1), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M¹¹, L¹¹, n and m in the formula (1), respectively.

Each of B²¹ to B²⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R²², and R²² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. B²¹ to B²⁷ have no particular restriction as to their combination, but the number of nitrogen atoms in the combination is preferably from 0 to 2, far preferably 0 or 1.

The preferred range of each R²¹ is the same as that of R^(1a) and R^(1b) each in the partial structure (1-1). It is preferable that at least one of R²¹s is not a hydrogen atom, but a substituent. This is because the tendency of R²¹s to cause hydrogen-metal exchange reaction is reduced, and thereby it becomes easy to derive compounds represented by the formula (2a) from starting materials at high yields.

The preferred range of R²² is the same as that of R¹¹ in the formula (1).

In the formula (2a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent. R²¹ and B²¹ to B²⁷ have the same meanings as R²¹ and B²¹ to B²⁷ in the formula (2), respectively. [L²¹ _(k)M²¹(μ−Y)]₂  (2b)

The formula (2b) stands for a bridged metal dimer, Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR²³, R²³COO, SR²³ or N(R²³)₂, and each of R²³s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group. k is 2 when M²¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M²¹ is Pt. L²¹, M²¹, Y and R²³ have the same meanings as L¹¹, M¹¹, Y and R¹³ in the formula (1b), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as L¹¹, M¹¹, Y and R¹³ in the formula (1b), respectively. μ is a symbol standing for a bridging ligand.

Among the compounds represented by the formula (1), compounds represented by the following formula (3) are also preferred. By taking on a condensed arene ring structure, positions at which a metal (M³¹)-carbon bond and a metal (M³¹)-nitrogen bond are to be formed become limited (because D¹³ and B¹¹ in the formula (1) have undergone substitution), and therefore compounds represented by the formula (3) become easy to synthesize. The compounds represented by the formula (3) can be prepared by allowing compounds represented by the formula (3a) to react with compounds represented by the formula (3b).

In the formula (3), M³¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of R³¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R³¹ may be the same as or different from every other R³¹, each of B³¹ to B³⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R³², and R³² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R³² may be the same as or different from every other R³². L³¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand. n represents an integer of 1 to 3 and m represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or 3.

In the formula (3), M³¹, L³¹, R³², n and m have the same meanings as M¹¹, L¹¹, R¹¹, n and m in the formula (1), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M¹¹, L¹¹, R¹¹, n and m in the formula (1), respectively.

Each of B³¹ to B³⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R³², and R³² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. B³¹ to B³⁷ have no particular restriction as to their combination, but the number of nitrogen atoms in the combination is preferably from 0 to 2, far preferably 0 or 1.

The preferred range of each R³¹ is the same as that of R^(1c) and R^(1e) each in the partial structure (1-2). It is preferable that at least one of R³¹s is not a hydrogen atom, but a substituent. This is because the tendency of R³¹s to cause hydrogen-metal exchange reaction is reduced, and thereby it becomes easy to derive compounds represented by the formula (3a) from starting materials at high yields.

The preferred range of R³² is the same as that of R¹¹ in the formula (1).

In the formula (3a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent. And R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ have the same meanings as R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ in the formula (3), respectively. [L³¹ _(k)M³¹(μ−Y)]₂  (3b)

In the formula (3b), Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR³³, R³³COO, SR³³ or N(R³)₂, and each of R³³s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group. k is 2 when M³¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M³¹ is Pt. L³¹, M³¹, Y and R³³ have the same meanings as L¹¹, M¹¹, Y and R¹³ in the formula (1b), respectively, and their preferred ranges are the same as the ranges preferred as L¹¹, M¹¹, Y and R¹³ in the formula (1b), respectively. μ is a symbol standing for a bridging ligand.

The compounds represented by the formula (1a) are preferably prepared by reaction between compounds represented by the following formula (1c) and at least one reactant selected from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In the formula (1c), A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴, and D¹¹ to D¹³ have the same meanings as A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴, and D¹¹ to D¹³ in the formula (1a), respectively.

Examples of an alkali metal, an organolithium compound, an alkaline earth metal and an alkylmagnesium halide which are usable in the reaction include lithium, n-butyl lithium, s-butyl lithium, t-butyl lithium, lithium naphthalenide, lithium biphenylide, phenyl lithium, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide, magnesium, methylmagnesium bromide, methylmagnesium chloride, ethylmagnesium bromide, ethylmagnesium chloride, propylmagnesium bromide and propylmagnesium chloride. Of these reactants, n-butyl lithium, t-butyl lithium, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide, magnesium, ethylmagnesium bromide, ethylmagnesium chloride, propylmagnesium bromide and propylmagnesium chloride are preferable to the others, and far preferred ones are n-butyl lithium, ethylmagnesium bromide, ethylmagnesium chloride, propylmagnesium bromide and propylmagnesium chloride.

When an organolithium compound is used, a co-solvent or a base (e.g. potassium tert-butoxide) for activating the organolithium compound may be added. And examples of the co-solvent include amine compounds, such as tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA), 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) and sparteine, and amide compounds, such as hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide (HMPA) and N,N′-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU).

When an alkaline earth metal is used, iodine or an alkyl halide (e.g. methyl iodide, dibromoethane, ethyl bromide) for activating the alkaline earth metal may be added.

When an alkylmagnesium halide is used, a lithium salt (e.g. lithium chloride, lithium bromide), zinc chloride or an alkyl lithium (e.g. n-butyl lithium) for activating the alkylmagnesium halide may be added.

Additionally, reactions of compounds represented by the formula (2c) or compounds represented by the formula (3c) or compounds represented by the formula (4c) with any one kind of reactant chosen from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals, or alkylmagnesium halides are conducted under the same conditions as mentioned hereinbefore.

The compounds represented by the formula (2a) are preferably prepared by reaction between compounds represented by the following formula (2c) and at least one reactant selected from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In the formula (2c), R²¹ and B²¹ to B²⁷ have the same meanings as R²¹ and B²¹ to B²⁷ in the formula (2a), respectively.

The compounds represented by the formula (3a) are preferably prepared by reaction between compounds represented by the following formula (3c) and at least one reactant selected from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In the formula (3c), R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ have the same meanings as R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ in the formula (3a), respectively.

[Compounds Represented by Formula (4)]

Another forming method according to the invention is a method of forming compounds having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered rings as partial structures of ligands thereof through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction, and more specifically, a method of forming compounds represented by the formula (4) by allowing compounds represented by the formula (4a) to react with compounds represented by the formula (4b).

The compounds represented by the formula (4) are illustrated below in detail.

In the formula (4), M⁴¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of R¹¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, each of A⁴¹s independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, and each of D⁴¹ to D⁴³ independently represents an atom chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon. Each of the atom-atom bonds in the 5-membered ring formed from D⁴¹ to D⁴³, A⁴¹ and a C atom is a single bond or a double bond. When D⁴¹ to D⁴³ have the possibility of further undergoing substitution, they each may have a substituent. L⁴¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand. n represents an integer of 1 to 3 and m represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or 3.

A⁴¹ represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom and, together with D⁴¹ to D⁴³ and a carbon atom, forms a nitrogen-containing 5-membered heterocyclic ring.

Each of D⁴¹ to D⁴³ independently represents an atom chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon. The atom-atom bonds in the 5-membered ring formed from D⁴¹ to D⁴³, A⁴¹ and a carbon atom are not particularly restricted, and may make any combinations of single and double bonds. Each of D⁴¹ to D⁴³ is preferably a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom.

The number of nitrogen atoms in the 5-membered ring formed from D⁴¹ to D⁴³, A⁴¹ and a nitrogen atom is preferably from 1 to 3, far preferably 1 or 2.

The 5-membered ring formed from D⁴¹ to D⁴³, A⁴¹ and a carbon atom is preferably an aromatic ring.

When D⁴¹ to D⁴³ have the possibility of further undergoing substitution, they each may have a substituent chosen from the substituent group A.

Suitable examples of the substituent include an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group. Of these substituents, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic group are preferable to the others, still more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, an aryl group or a cyano group. In particular, the substituent is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group, and most preferably a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group.

The substituents may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring. Examples of a ring formed from such substituents include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

As to the 5-membered ring formed from D⁴¹ to D⁴³, A⁴¹ and a carbon atom, the especially preferred combination is a case where A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ are nitrogen atoms and D⁴² and D⁴³ are carbon atoms. This case is expressed as the following partial structure in the concrete. When the 5-membered ring formed from D⁴¹ to D⁴³, A⁴¹ and a carbon atom has the following partial structure, the acidity of hydrogen atoms in R⁴ is low, and therefore the hydrogen atoms in R⁴ resist undergoing hydrogen-metal exchange reaction, and it becomes easy to derive the compound represented by the formula (4a) from a starting material at a high yield. In addition, when the following partial structure is present in a compound represented by the formula (4), the lowest excited triplet-state energy level of the compound is heightened. Therefore it is favorable for preparation of a shortwave phosphorescent material to have such partial structure in the compound.

Each of R⁴s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Each R⁴ may be the same as or different from the other R⁴. Each R⁴ may further have a substituent, and the substituent can be chosen from the substituent group A.

Alternatively, the two R⁴s may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring, and examples of a ring formed from them include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

Suitable examples of R⁴ include an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group and a silyl group. Of these substituents, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a cyano group, a fluorine atom and a heterocyclic group are preferable to the others, still more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, an aryl group or a cyano group. In particular, the substituent is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group, and most preferably a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group.

As the substituent represented by R⁴¹, any one included in the substituent group A can be adopted.

Each R⁴¹ may be the same as or different from every other R⁴¹. In addition, each R⁴¹ may further have a substituent, and the substituent can be chosen from the substituent group A. Alternatively, any pair of adjacent R⁴¹s may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring, and examples of a ring formed from them include a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a triazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrrole ring, a pyrazole ring, an imidazole ring, a triazole ring, an oxazole ring, an oxadiazole ring, a thiazole ring, a thiadiazole ring, a furan ring, a thiophene ring, a selenophene ring, a silole ring, a germole ring and a phosphole ring.

The substituent preferable as R⁴ is an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an aryloxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, a sulfonylamino group, a sulfamoyl group, a carbamoyl group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a heterocyclylthio group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, an ureido group, a phosphorylamido group, a hydroxyl group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom, a sulfo group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a sulfino group, a heterocyclic group or a silyl group, still more preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom, a methoxy group, an aryl group or a cyano group. In particular, the substituent is preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group, and most preferably a methyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, a fluorine atom or a cyano group. It is preferable that at least one of R⁴s is not a hydrogen atom, but a substituent. This is because the tendency of R⁴¹s to cause hydrogen-metal exchange reaction is reduced, and thereby it becomes easy to derive compounds represented by the formula (4a) from starting materials at good yields.

L⁴¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand. The bidentate ligand represented by L⁴¹ has no particular restriction, but it is preferably a bidentate ligand that L⁴¹, together with M⁴¹, forms a coordinate bond via its nitrogen atom, and besides, one of its carbon, oxygen and nitrogen atoms and M⁴¹ form a covalent bond. And the bidentate ligand far preferred as L⁴¹ is a bidentate ligand whose nitrogen atom and M⁴¹ form a coordinate bond, and besides, whose carbon atom and M⁴¹ form a covalent bond. Examples of such a bidentate ligand include substituted or unsubstituted phenylpyridine, phenylpyrazole, phenylimidazole, pyridylimidazole, phenyltriazole, phenyltetrazole, pyridiylpyridine, imidazolylpyridine, pyrazolylpyridine and triazolylpyridine. Of these ligands, phenylpyridine, phenylpyrazole, phenylimidazole, pyridylimidazole, pyridylpyridine and pyrazolylpyridine are preferable to the others. Additionally, these ligands may further have substituents as recited above.

It is further preferred that L⁴¹ have a structure chosen from the foregoing bidentate-ligand group L. In the group L, L-a to L-d are preferred, L-a and L-b are far preferred, and L-a in particular is preferred.

n represents an integer of 1 to 3, and when M⁴¹ is Ir, n is 3 or 1, preferably 3. When M⁴¹ is Pt, n is 2 or 1, preferably 2.

m represents an integer of 0 to 2, and when M⁴¹ is Ir, m is 0 or 2, preferably 0. When M⁴¹ is Pt, m is 0 or 1, preferably 0.

n+m is 3 when M⁴¹ is Ir, while it is 2 when M⁴¹ is Pt.

In the formula (4a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent. R⁴¹s, A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ to D⁴³ have the same meanings as R⁴¹s, A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ to D⁴³ in the formula (4), respectively. [L⁴¹ _(k)M⁴¹(μ−Y)]₂  (4b)

The formula (4b) stands for a bridged metal dimer, Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR⁴², R⁴²COO, SR⁴² or N(R⁴²)₂, and each of R⁴²s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group. k is 2 when M⁴¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M³¹ is Pt. The preferred ranges of L⁴¹, M⁴¹, Y and R⁴² are the same as the ranges preferred as L¹¹, M¹¹, Y and R¹³ in the formula (1b), respectively. μ is a symbol standing for a bridging ligand.

The compounds represented by the formula (4a) are preferably prepared by reaction between compounds represented by the following formula (4c) and at least one reactant selected from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In the formula (4c), R⁴¹s, A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ to D⁴³ have the same meanings as R⁴¹s, A⁴¹ and D⁴¹ to D⁴³ in the formula (4a), respectively.

Conditions under which the reaction between each of the compounds represented by the formula (1c), (2c), (3c) or (4c) and an alkali metal, an organolithium compound, an alkaline earth metal or an alkylmagnesium halide is conducted are described below.

Examples of a solvent usable in the reaction include linear or cyclic ethers such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, THF, dioxane and tetrahydropyran, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene, and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as petroleum ether, n-hexane and n-pentane.

The range of temperatures at which the reaction is conducted is preferably from −100° C. to 150° C., far preferably from −78° C. to 70° C., further preferably from −78° C. to 10° C.

The reaction is conducted over 0.5 to 48 hours, preferably over 3 to 24 hours.

[Compounds Represented by Formula (5)]

Still another forming method according to the invention is a method of forming compounds having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered rings as partial structures of ligands thereof through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction, and more specifically, a method of forming compounds represented by the formula (5) by allowing compounds represented by the formula (5a) to react with compounds represented by the formula (5b) or (5c).

The compounds represented by each of the formulae (5), (5a), (5b) and (5c) are illustrated below in detail.

In the formula (5), M⁵¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of A⁵¹s independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, each of B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R⁵¹, and R⁵¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Each R⁵¹ may be the same as or different from every other R⁵¹. And each of D⁵¹ to D⁵³ independently represents an atom chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon. Each of the atom-atom bonds in the 5-membered ring formed from D⁵¹ to D⁵³, A⁵¹ and an N atom is a single bond or a double bond. When D⁵¹ to D⁵³ have the possibility of further undergoing substitution, they each may have a substituent. n is 3 when M⁵¹ is Ir, while it is 2 when M⁵¹ is Pt.

In the formula (5), A⁵¹, B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴, D⁵¹ to D⁵³ and R⁵¹ have the same meanings as A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴, D¹¹ to D¹³ and R¹¹ in the formula (1), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴, D¹¹ to D¹³ and R¹¹ in the formula (1), respectively.

The 5-membered ring formed from A⁵¹, D⁵¹ to D⁵³ and a nitrogen atom is preferably an aromatic ring.

In the formula (5a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent. A⁵¹, B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ and D⁵¹ to D⁵³ have the same meanings as A⁵¹, B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ and D⁵¹ to D⁵³ in the formula (5), respectively. M⁵¹(ZR⁵² ₂)_(m)X_(m)  (5b)

In the formula (5b), X is Cl, Br or I, Z is an O atom or an S atom, and each of R⁵²s is independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent. M⁵¹ has the same meaning as M⁵¹ in the formula (5). m is 3 when M⁵¹ is Ir, while it is 2 when M⁵¹ is Pt.

Z is an O atom or an S atom, preferably an S atom.

X is preferably Br or Cl, particularly preferably Cl.

As a substituent represented by each R⁵², any substituent in the substituent group A can be adopted.

Of the two R⁵²s, one may be the same as or different from the other. In addition, each R⁵² may further have a substituent, and the substituent can be chosen from the substituent group A.

Each R⁵² is preferably an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, far preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group.

Alternatively, the two R⁵²s may combine with each other and form a ring. Examples of the ring formed include a tetrahydrothiophene ring, a pentamethylenesulfide ring, a dithian ring, a tetrahydrofuran ring, a dioxane ring and a tetrahydropyran ring.

When Z is an S atom and R⁵² is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, the total number of carbon atoms in the two R⁵²s is preferably from 4 to 20, far preferably from 6 to 20, particularly preferably from 8 to 20. This is because, when the number of carbon atoms is increased, the sulfide as decomposed matter comes to resist causing an odor leak, which is advantageous from a production viewpoint.

Examples of compounds represented by the formula (5b) are illustrated below, but these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Syntheses of compounds represented by the formula (5b) are described e.g. in Inorg. Synth., 1960, 6, 21, and J. Chem. Soc. Dalton Trans., 1972, 613.

In the formula (5c), X is Cl, Br or I, and each of R⁵³s is independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent. M⁵¹ has the same meaning as M⁵¹ in the formula (5). m is 3 when M⁵¹ is Ir, while it is 2 when M⁵¹ is Pt.

As a substituent represented by each R⁵³, any substituent in the substituent group A can be adopted.

Each R⁵³ may be the same as or different from every other R⁵³. In addition, each R⁵³ may further have a substituent, and the substituent can be chosen from the substituent group A.

Each R⁵³ is preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group, far preferably a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group, further preferably a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl group, particularly preferably a hydrogen atom.

Examples of compounds represented by the formula (5c) are illustrated below, but these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

In the reaction between a compound of the formula (5a) and a compound of the formula (5b) or (5c), the mole ratio of the compound of the formula (5b) or (5c) to the compound of the formula (5a) is from 1:3 to 1:50, preferably from 1:3 to 1:25, particularly preferably from 1:3 to 1:10.

Examples of a suitable reaction medium include linear or cyclic ethers, such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, THF, dioxane and tetrahydropyran, oligoethers or polyethers such as poly(ethylene glycol) diethyl ether, hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide (HMPA), linear or cyclic dialkylureas such as N,N′-dimethylpropyleneurea (DMPU) and N,N′-dimethylethyleneurea (1,3-dimethylimidazolidine-2-one), aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene, and halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane and chloroform. Of these reaction media, linear or cyclic ethers such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, THF, dioxane and tetrahydropyran are preferred over the others.

In the invention, the reaction is carried out in a temperature range of −78° C. to 150° C., preferably in a temperature range of −78° C. to 70° C.

In the invention, the reaction is conducted over 0.5 to 48 hours, preferably over 3 to 24 hours. So long as the reaction time is in such a range, sufficient conversion of a metal-containing starting material used becomes possible, and yield loss and contamination of the product can be prevented.

Additionally, reactions between compounds explained below, namely reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (6a) and a compound represented by the following formula (6b) or (6c), reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (7a) and a compound represented by the following formula (7b) or (7c) and reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (8a) and a compound represented by the following formula (8b) or (8c), are conducted under the same conditions as described above.

The compounds represented by the formula (5) are preferably compounds represented by the following formula (6). The compounds represented by the formula (6) are obtained by allowing compounds represented by the following formula (6a) to react with compounds represented by the following formula (6b) or (6c).

In the formula (6), M⁶¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of R⁶¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R⁶¹ may be the same as or different from every other R⁶¹, each of B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R⁶², and R⁶² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Each R⁶² may be the same as or different from every other R⁶². n is 3 when M⁶¹ is Ir, while it is 2 when M⁶¹ is Pt.

In the formula (6), M⁶¹, R⁶² and n have the same meanings as M⁵¹, R⁵¹ and n in the formula (5), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M⁵¹, R⁵¹ and n in the formula (5), respectively.

Each of B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R⁶², and R⁶² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ are not particularly restricted as to the combination thereof, but the number of nitrogen atoms in the combination is preferably from 0 to 2, far preferably 0 or 1.

The preferred range of R⁶¹ is the same as that of R^(1a) or R^(1b) in the partial structure (1-1).

The preferred range of R⁶² is the same as that of R⁵¹ in the formula (5).

In the formula (6a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent. And R⁶¹ and B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ have the same meanings as R⁶¹ and B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ in the formula (6), respectively. M⁶¹(ZR⁶³)_(m)X_(m)  (6b)

In the formula (6b), M⁶¹, R⁶³ and m have the same meanings as M⁵¹, X, Z, R⁵² and m in the formula (5b), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M⁵¹, X, Z, R⁵² and m in the formula (5b), respectively.

M⁶¹, X, In the formula (6c), M⁶¹, X, R⁶⁴ and m have the same meanings as M⁵¹, X, R⁵³ and m in the formula (5c), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M⁵¹, X, R⁵³ and m in the formula (5c), respectively.

The compounds represented by the formula (5) are preferably compounds represented by the following formula (7). The compounds represented by the formula (7) are obtained by allowing compounds represented by the following formula (7a) to react with compounds represented by the following formula (7b) or (7c).

In the formula (7), M⁷¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of R⁷¹ s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R⁷¹ may be the same as or different from every other R⁷¹, each of B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R⁷², and R⁷² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Each R⁷² may be the same as or different from every other R⁷². n is 3 when M⁷¹ is Ir, while it is 2 when M⁷¹ is Pt.

In the formula (7), M⁷¹, R⁷¹ and n have the same meanings as M⁵¹, R⁵¹ and n in the formula (5), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M⁵¹, R⁵¹ and n in the formula (5), respectively.

Each of B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R⁷², and R⁷² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ are not particularly restricted as to the combination thereof, but the number of nitrogen atoms in the combination is preferably from 0 to 2, far preferably 0 or 1.

The preferred range of R⁷¹ is the same as that of R^(1d) or R^(1e) in the partial structure (1-2).

The preferred range of R⁷² is the same as that of R⁵¹ in the formula (5).

In the formula (7a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent. R⁷¹ and B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ have the same meanings as R⁷¹ and B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ in the formula (7), respectively. M⁷¹(ZR⁷³ ₂)_(m)X_(m)  (7b)

In the formula (7b), M⁷¹, X, Z, R⁷³ and m have the same meanings as M⁵¹, X, Z, R⁵² and m in the formula (5b), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M⁵¹, X, Z, R⁵² and m in the formula (5b), respectively.

In the formula (7c), M⁷¹, X, R⁷⁴ and m have the same meanings as M⁵¹, X, R⁵³ and m in the formula (5c), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M⁵¹, X, R⁵³ and m in the formula (5c), respectively.

The compounds represented by the formula (5a) are preferably prepared by reaction between compounds represented by the following formula (5d) and at least one reactant selected from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In the formula (5d), A⁵¹, B⁵¹ to B⁵⁴ and D⁵¹ to D⁵³ have the same meanings as A⁵¹, B^(5′) to B⁵⁴ and D⁵¹ to D⁵³ in the formula (5a), respectively.

The compounds represented by the formula (6a) are preferably prepared by reaction between compounds represented by the following formula (6d) and at least one reactant selected from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In the formula (6d), R⁶¹ and B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ have the same meanings as R⁶¹ and B⁶¹ to B⁶⁷ in the formula (6a), respectively.

The compounds represented by the formula (7a) are preferably prepared by reaction between compounds represented by the following formula (7d) and at least one reactant selected from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In the formula (7d), R⁷¹ and B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ have the same meanings as R⁷¹ and B⁷¹ to B⁷⁷ in the formula (7a), respectively.

[Compounds Represented by Formula (8)]

A further forming method according to the invention is a method of forming compounds having nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered rings as partial structures of ligands thereof through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction, and more specifically, a method of forming compounds represented by the formula (8) by allowing compounds represented by the formula (8a) to react with compounds represented by the formula (8b) or (8c).

In the formula (8), M⁸¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of R⁸¹s independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, each of A⁸¹s independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, and each of D⁸¹ to D⁸³ independently represents an atom chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon. Each of the atom-atom bonds in the 5-membered ring formed from D⁸¹ to D⁸³, A⁸¹ and a C atom is a single bond or a double bond. When D⁸¹ to D⁸³ have the possibility of further undergoing substitution, they each may have a substituent. n is 3 when M⁸¹ is Ir, while it is 2 when M⁸¹ is Pt.

In the formula (8), A⁸¹, D⁸¹ to D⁸³ and R⁸¹ have the same meanings as A⁴¹, D⁴¹ to D⁴³ and R⁴¹ in the formula (4), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as A⁴¹, D⁴¹ to D⁴³ and R⁴¹ in the formula (4), respectively.

The 5-membered ring formed from A⁸¹, D⁸¹ to D⁸³ and a carbon atom is preferably an aromatic ring.

In the formula (8a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent. And R⁸¹, A⁸¹ and D⁸¹ to D⁸³ have the same meanings as R⁸¹, A⁸¹ and D⁸¹ to D⁸³ in the formula (8), respectively. M⁸¹(ZR⁸² ₂)_(m)X_(m)  (8b)

In the formula (8b), M⁸¹, X, Z, R⁸² and m have the same meanings as M⁵¹, X, Z, R⁵² and m in the formula (5b), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M⁵¹, X, Z, R⁵² and m in the formula (5b), respectively.

In the formula (8c), M⁸¹, X, R⁸³ and m have the same meanings as M⁵¹, X, R⁵³ and m in the formula (5c), respectively, and their preferred ranges are also the same as the ranges preferred as M⁵¹, X, R⁵³ and m in the formula (5c), respectively.

The compounds represented by the formula (8a) are preferably prepared by reaction between compounds represented by the following formula (8d) and at least one reactant selected from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides.

In the formula (8d), R⁸¹, A⁸¹ and D⁸¹ to D⁸³ have the same meanings as R⁸¹, A⁸¹ and D⁸¹ to D⁸³ in the formula (8a), respectively.

Conditions under which the reaction between each of the compounds represented by the formulae (5d), (6d), (7d) or (8d) and at least one reactant chosen from alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals or alkylmagnesium halides is conducted are described below.

Examples of a solvent usable in the reaction include linear or cyclic ethers such as diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, THF, dioxane and tetrahydropyran, aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene, and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as petroleum ether, n-hexane and n-pentane.

The range of temperatures at which the reaction is conducted is preferably from −100° C. to 150° C., far preferably from −78° C. to 70° C., further preferably from −78° C. to 10° C.

The reaction is conducted over 0.5 to 48 hours, preferably over 3 to 24 hours.

[Compounds]

The compounds according to the invention are compounds formed by the present forming methods and represented by any of the formulae (1) to (8).

Compounds represented by the formula (1) are as follows.

In the formula (1a), Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent, and A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴ and D¹¹ to D¹³ have the same meanings as A¹¹, B¹¹ to B¹⁴ and D¹¹ to D¹³ in the formula (1), respectively. [L¹¹ _(k)M¹¹(μ−Y)]₂  (1b)

The formula (1b) stands for a bridged metal dimer, Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR¹³, R¹³COO, SR¹³ or N(R¹³)₂, and each of R¹³s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group. k is 2 when M¹¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M¹¹ is Pt. L¹¹ and M¹¹ have the same meanings as L¹¹ and M¹¹ in the formula (1), respectively.

In the formula (1), M¹¹ represents Ir or Pt, each of A¹¹s independently represents a nitrogen atom or a carbon atom, each of B¹¹ to B¹⁴ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C—R¹¹, and R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent, wherein each R¹¹ may be the same as or different from every other R¹¹. And each of D¹¹ to D¹³ independently represents an atom chosen from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur or silicon. Each of the bonds between atoms in the 5-membered ring formed from D¹¹ to D¹³, A¹¹ and an N atom represents a single bond or a double bond. Each of D¹¹ to D¹³ may have a substituent as long as it can undergo further substitution. And L¹¹ represents atoms forming a bidentate ligand. n represents an integer of 1 to 3 and m represents an integer of 0 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or 3.

Formulae and preferred ranges of the compounds represented by the formulae (1) to (8) are the same as described hereinbefore.

Examples of the compounds represented by the formulae (1) to (8) are illustrated below, but these examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[Organic Electroluminescence Device Materials]

Organic electroluminescence device materials according to the invention are compounds which are formed by the present forming methods and represented by any of the formulae (1) to (8), and each of them is characterized by having a lithium atom and ion content of 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm.

In the compounds represented by any of the formulae (1) to (8), the Li atom and ion content is 50 ppm below, preferably from 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm.

Other organic electroluminescence device materials according to the invention are compounds represented by any of the formulae (1) to (8), and each of them has a magnesium atom and ion content of 50 ppm or below, preferably from 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm.

The organic electroluminescence device materials according to the invention can be obtained by use of the present forming methods.

In the thus obtained compounds of any of the formulae (1) to (8), the lithium atom and ion content is preferably from 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm, far preferably from 0.1 ppm to 10 ppm, further preferably from 1 ppm to 10 ppm. And the magnesium atom and ion content is preferably from 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm, far preferably from 0.1 ppm to 10 ppm, further preferably from 1 ppm to 10 ppm. When both the Li atom and ion content and the Mg atom and ion content are in the ranges specified above, high purity is maintained.

Light emitting materials reduced in impurity and decomposed-matter contents are restrained from causing photoemission quench traceable to impurities and decomposed matter, and therefore they can deliver improved durability.

Furthermore, light emitting materials synthesized from halogen-free ligands allow further improvement of device durability. It has been suggested that halogen impurities constitute a factor in degrading device durability, therefore the use of light emitting materials prepared in the invention makes it possible to restrain photoemission quench traceable to halogen impurities, and to improve device durability.

[Organic Electroluminescence Devices]

In addition, the invention provides organic electroluminescence devices which each have at least one organic layer, including a light emitting layer, between a pair of electrodes and contain in at least one of the organic layers a compound prepared in accordance with any of the present forming methods and represented by any of the formulae (1) to (8). Additionally, each of the compounds represented by the formulae (1) to (8) is preferably incorporated into the light emitting layer. In forming organic electroluminescence devices, the compounds represented by the formulae (1) to (8) may be utilized together with other ingredients. Such ingredients may be organic substances or they may be inorganic substances. As the organic substances, materials recited below as host materials, fluorescent materials, phosphorescent materials or hydrocarbon materials can be adopted, and the preferred ones are host materials or hydrocarbon materials.

The devices according to the invention are described below in detail.

The organic electroluminescence devices according to the invention are organic electroluminescence devices each having on a substrate a pair of electrodes between which a light emitting layer is sandwiched, preferably containing in the light emitting layer a compound represented by any of the formulae (1) to (8) in the invention.

In the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, the light emitting layer is an organic layer, and the device may have a plurality of organic layers.

In view of property of the luminescence device, at least one electrode of the anode and the cathode is preferably transparent or translucent.

FIG. 1 shows one example of the configuration of the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention. In the organic electroluminescence device 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, a light emitting layer 6 is sandwiched between an anode 3 and a cathode 9 on a supporting substrate 2. More specifically, a hole injection layer 4, a hole transporting layer 5, a light emitting layer 6, a hole blocking layer 7 and an electron transporting layer 8 are stacked in this order between an anode 3 and a cathode 9.

<Configuration of Organic Layer>

The layer configuration of the organic layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the use and purpose of the organic electroluminescence device but is preferably formed on the transparent electrode or back plate. In this case, the organic layer is formed on the front surface or one surface of the transparent electrode or back plate.

The shape, size, thickness and the like of the organic layer are not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose.

Specific examples of the layer configuration include the following configurations, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

-   -   Anode/hole transporting layer/light emitting layer/electron         transporting layer/cathode     -   Anode/hole transporting layer/light emitting layer/blocking         layer/electron transporting layer/cathode     -   Anode/hole transporting layer/light emitting layer/blocking         layer/electron transporting layer/electron injection         layer/cathode     -   Anode/hole injection layer/hole transporting layer/light         emitting layer/blocking layer/electron transporting         layer/cathode     -   Anode/hole injection layer/hole transporting layer/light         emitting layer/blocking layer/electron transporting         layer/electron injection layer/cathode

The device configuration, substrate, cathode and anode of an organic electroluminescence device are described in detail, for example, in JP-A-2008-270736, and the matters described therein can be applied to the present invention.

<Substrate>

The substrate for use in the present invention is preferably a substrate which does not scatter or attenuate the light emitted from the organic layer. When the substrate is made from an organic material, it is preferable that the organic material has excellent heat resistance, dimensional stability, solvent resistance, electrical insulation and workability.

<Anode>

The anode is usually sufficient if it has a function as an electrode of supplying a hole to the organic layer. The shape, structure, size and the like thereof are not particularly limited, and the anode material may be appropriately selected from known electrode materials according to the use or purpose of the luminescence device. As described above, the anode is usually provided as a transparent anode.

<Cathode>

The cathode is usually sufficient if it has a function as an electrode of injecting an electron in the organic layer. The shape, structure, size and the like thereof are not particularly limited, and the cathode material may be appropriately selected from known electrode materials according to the use or purpose of the luminescence device.

As for the substrate, anode and cathode, the matters described in JP-A-2008-270736, paragraphs [0070] to [0089] can be applied to the present invention.

<Organic Layer>

The organic layer for use in the present invention is described below.

—Formation of Organic Layer—

In the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, each organic layer may be suitably formed by any of a dry deposition method such as vapor deposition and sputtering, a transfer method, a printing method and the like.

(Light Emitting Layer)

<Light Emitting Material>

The light emitting material for use in the present invention is compounds represented by formulae (1) to (8).

The light emitting material in the light emitting layer is generally contained in the light emitting layer, based on the mass of all compounds forming the light emitting layer, in an amount of 0.1 to 50 mass %, and in view of durability and external quantum efficiency, preferably in an amount of from 1 to 50 mass %, still more preferably from 2 to 40 mass %.

The thickness of the light emitting layer is not particularly limited but usually, the thickness is preferably from 2 to 500 nm, and in view of external quantum efficiency, more preferably from 3 to 200 nm, still more preferably from 5 to 100 nm.

In the device of the present invention, the light emitting layer may be composed of only a light emitting material or may have a mixed layer configuration of a host material and a light emitting material. The light emitting material may be either a fluorescent material or a phosphorescent material and as for the dopant, one kind of a dopant or two or more kinds of dopants may be used. The host material is preferably a charge transport material. As for the host material, one kind of a host material or two or more kinds of host materials may be used, and examples of this configuration include a configuration where an electron transporting host material and a hole transporting host material are mixed. Also, the light emitting layer may contain a material having no charge transport property and being incapable of producing luminescence.

Furthermore, the light emitting layer may be a single layer or a multilayer composed of two or more layers. In the case of a plurality of light emitting layers, the compounds represented by formulae (1) to (8) in the present invention may be contained in two or more light emitting layers. Also, respective light emitting layers may produce luminescence in different colors.

<Host Material>

Examples of the host material in the present invention may include the following compounds. For example, pyrrole, indole, carbazole, CBP (4,4′-di(9-carbazoyl)biphenyl), azaindole, azacarbazole, triazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, pyrazole, imidazole, thiophene, polyarylalkane, pyrazoline, pyrazolone, phenylenediamine, arylamine, amino-substituted chalcone, styrylanthracene, fluorenone, hydrazone, stilbene, silazane, an aromatic tertiary amine compound, a styrylamine compound, a porphyrin-based compound, a polysilane-based compound, poly(N-vinylcarbazole), an aniline-base copolymer, an electrically conductive polymer oligomer such as thiophene oligomer and polythiophene, an organic silane, a carbon film, pyridine, pyrimidine, triazine, imidazole, pyrazole, triazole, oxazole, oxadiazole, fluorenone, anthraquinodimethane, anthrone, diphenylquinone, thiopyran dioxide, carbodiimide, fluorenylidenemethane, distyrylpyrazine, a fluorine-substituted aromatic compound, a heterocyclic tetracarboxylic anhydride such as naphthaleneperylene, various metal complexes typified by a metal complex of phthalocyanine or 8-quinolinol derivative and a metal complex having metal phthalocyanine, benzoxazole or benzothiazole as the ligand, and derivatives thereof (may have a substituent or form a condensed ring) are exemplified.

In the present invention, the content of the host compound is not particularly limited but in view of luminous efficiency and drive voltage, the content is preferably from 15 to 98 mass % based on the mass of all compounds forming the light emitting layer.

(Fluorescent Material)

Examples of a fluorescent material usable in the invention include benzoxazole derivatives, benzimidazole derivatives, benzothiazole derivatives, styrylbenzene derivatives, polyphenyl derivatives, diphenylbutadiene derivatives, tetraphenylbutadiene derivatives, naphthalimide derivatives, coumarin derivatives, condensed aromatic compounds, perinone derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, oxazine derivatives, aldazine derivatives, pyralidine derivatives, cyclopentadiene derivatives, bisstyrylanthracene derivatives, quinacridone derivatives, pyrrolopyridine derivatives, thiadiazolopyridine derivatives, cyclopentadiene derivatives, styrylamine derivatives, diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives, aromatic dimethylidyne derivatives, various kinds of complexes typified by complexes of 8-quinolinol derivatives and complexes of pyrromethene derivatives, polymeric compounds such as polythiophene, polyphenylene and polyphenylenevinylene, and compounds like organic silane derivatives.

(Phosphorescent Material)

Examples of the phosphorescent material which can be used in the present invention include, other than the compounds represented by formulae (1) to (8), phosphorescent compounds described in patent documents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,303,238B1, 6,097,147, WO 00/57676, WO 00/70655, WO 01/08230, WO 01/39234A2, WO 01/41512A1, WO 02/02714A2, WO 02/15645A1, WO 02/44189A1, WO 05/19373A2, JP-A-2001-247859, JP-A-2002-302671, JP-A-2002-117978, JP-A-2003-133074, JP-A-2002-235076, JP-A-2003-123982, JP-A-2002-170684, EP 1211257, JP-A-2002-226495, JP-A-2002-234894, JP-A-2001-247859, JP-A-2001-298470, JP-A-2002-173674, JP-A-2002-203678, JP-A-2002-203679, JP-A-2004-357791, JP-A-2006-256999, JP-A-2007-19462, JP-A-2007-84635 and JP-A-2007-96259. Examples of luminescent dopants which are far preferred among those compounds include the Ir complexes, the Pt complexes, the Cu complexes, the Re complexes, the W complexes, the Rh complexes, the Ru complexes, the Pd complexes, the Os complexes, the Eu complexes, the Tb complexes, the Gd complexes, the Dy complexes and the Ce complexes. Of these complexes, Ir complexes, the Pt complexes and the Re complexes are particularly preferable, notably Ir complexes, the Pt complexes and the Re complexes each having at least one kind of coordination bond selected from metal-carbon, metal-nitrogen, metal-oxygen and metal-sulfur coordinate bonds. In terms of luminous efficiency, durability under driving, chromaticity and so on, the Ir complexes, the Pt complexes and the Re complexes each having a polydentate ligand, including a tridentate ligand or higher, are preferred over the others.

The content of the phosphorescent material in the light emitting layer is preferably from 0.1 to 50 mass %, more preferably from 0.2 to 50 mass %, still more preferably from 0.3 to 40 mass %, and most preferably from 20 to 30 mass %, based on the total mass of the light emitting layer.

The content of the phosphorescent material which can be used in the present invention is preferably from 0.1 to 50 mass %, more preferably from 1 to 40 mass %, and most preferably from 5 to 30 mass %, based on the total mass of the light emitting layer. In particular, within the range of 5 to 30 mass %, the chromaticity of luminescence of the organic electroluminescence device is small in the dependency on the concentration of the phosphorescent material added.

The organic electroluminescence device of the present invention most preferably contains at least one kind of the compound represented by formulae (1) to (8) in an amount of 5 to 30 mass % based on the total mass of the light emitting layer.

The organic electroluminescence device preferably further contains a hydrocarbon compound or a derivative thereof, and it is more preferred to contain a hydrocarbon compound in a light emitting layer.

The hydrocarbon compound is preferably a compound represented by the following formula (VI).

By appropriately using the compound represented by formula (VI) together with the light emitting material, the interaction between material molecules can be adequately controlled to make uniform the energy gap and interaction between adjacent molecules, whereby the drive voltage can be more lowered.

Also, the compound represented by formula (VI) for use in the organic electroluminescence device is excellent in chemical stability and less causes a deterioration such as decomposition of the material during driving of the device, so that the organic electroluminescence device can be prevented from reduction in the efficiency or life due to decomposition of the material.

The compound represented by formula (VI) is described below.

In formula (VI), each of R4, R6, R8, R10 and X4 to X15 independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group.

In formula (VI), the alkyl group represented by R₄, R₆, R₈, R₁₀ and X₄ to X₁₅ may be substituted with an adamantane structure or an aryl structure and is preferably an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 70, more preferably from 1 to 50, still more preferably from 1 to 30, yet still more preferably from 1 to 10, even yet still more preferably from 1 to 6, and most preferably a linear alkyl group having a carbon number of 2 to 6.

Examples of the alkyl group represented by each of R₄, R₆, R₈, R₁₀ and X₄ to X₁₅ in the formula (VI) include an n-C₅₀H₁₀₁ group, an n-C₃₀H₆₁ group, 3-(3,5,7-triphenyladamantane-1-yl)propyl group (number of carbon atoms: 31), a trityl group (number of carbon atoms: 19), 3-(adamantane-1-yl)propyl group (number of carbon atoms: 13), 9-decalyl group (number of carbon atoms: 10), a benzyl group (number of carbon atoms: 7), a cyclohexyl group (number of carbon atoms: 6), a n-hexyl group (number of carbon atoms: 6), an n-pentyl group (number of carbon atoms: 5), an n-butyl group (number of carbon atoms: 4), an n-propyl group (number of carbon atoms: 3), a cyclopropyl group (number of carbon atoms: 3), an ethyl group (number of carbon atoms: 2) and a methyl group (number of carbon atoms: 1).

The aryl group represented by each of R₄, R₆, R₈, R₁₀ and X₄ to X₁₅ in the formula (VI) may have as a substituent an adamantane structure or an alkyl structure, and the number of carbon atoms the aryl group has is preferably from 6 to 30, far preferably from 6 to 20, further preferably from 6 to 15, especially preferably from 6 to 10, the most preferably is 6.

Examples of the aryl group represented by each of R₄, R₆, R₈, R₁₀ and X₄ to X₁₅ in the formula (VI) include a 1-pyrenyl group (number of carbon atoms: 16), a 9-anthracenyl group (number of carbon atoms: 14), a 1-naphthyl group (number of carbon atoms: 10), a 2-natphthyl group (number of carbon atom: 10), a p-t-butylphenyl group (number of carbon atoms: 10), a 2-m-xylyl group (number of carbon atoms: 8), a 5-m-xylyl group (number of carbon atoms: 8), an o-tolyl group (number of carbon atoms: 7), a m-tolyl group (number of carbon atoms: 7), a p-tolyl group (number of carbon atoms: 7) and a phenyl group (number of carbon atoms: 6).

Although each of R₄, R₆, R₈ and R₁₀ in the formula (VI) may be either a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group, or an aryl group, from the viewpoint that high glass transition temperatures are preferable, it is preferable that at least one of them is an aryl group, it is far preferable that at least two of them are aryl groups, and it is particularly preferable that 3 or 4 of them are aryl groups.

Although each of X₄ to X₁₅ in the formula (VI) may represent either a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group, or an aryl group, it is preferable that each stands for a hydrogen atom or an aryl group, especially a hydrogen atom.

The organic electroluminescence devices are made using a vacuum deposition process or a solution coating process, and therefore, in terms of vacuum deposition suitability and solubility, the molecular weight of the compounds represented by the formula (VI) in the invention is preferably 2,000 or below, far preferably 1,200 or below, especially 1,000 or below. Also, from the viewpoint of vacuum deposition suitability, the molecular weight is preferably 250 or above, far preferably 350 or above, particularly preferably 400 or above. This is because, when the compounds have too low molecular weight, their vapor pressure becomes low and change from a vapor phase to a solid phase does not occur, and it is therefore difficult for the compounds to form organic layers.

The compound represented by the formula (VI) is preferably in solid phase at room temperature (25° C.), far preferably solid phase in a range from room temperature to 40° C., especially preferably solid phase in a range from room temperature to 60° C.

In the case of using the compound which, though represented by the formula (VI), is not in solid phase at room temperature, it is possible to form a solid phase at ordinary temperatures by combining the compound with other substances.

Uses of the compound represented by the formula (VI) are not limited, and the compound may be incorporated into any of the organic layers. The layer into which the compound represented by the formula (VI) in the invention is introduced is preferably a layer selected from a light emitting layer, a hole injection layer, a hole transporting layer, an electron transporting layer, an electron injection layer, an exciton block layer and a charge blocking layer, or a combination of two or more of these layers, far preferably a layer selected from the light emitting layer, the hole injection layer, the hole transporting layer, the electron transporting layer and the electron injection layer, or a combination of two or more of these layers, especially preferably a layer selected from the light emitting layer, the hole injection layer and the hole transporting layer, or a combination of at least two of these layers, the most preferably the light emitting layer.

When the compound represented by the formula (VI) is used in an organic layer, its content is required to be limited so as not to inhibit charge transportability, and therefore it is preferable from 0.1% to 70% by mass, far preferable from 0.1% to 30% by mass, especially preferable from 0.1% to 25% by mass.

When the compound represented by the formula (VI) is used in two or more organic layers, its content in each organic layer is preferably in the range specified above.

Only one kind of a compound represented by formula (VI) may be contained in any organic layer, or a plurality of kinds of compounds represented by formula (VI) may be contained in combination in an arbitrary ratio.

Specific preferred examples of the hydrocarbon compound and its derivative are illustrated below, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The compound represented by the formula (VI) can be synthesized by appropriately combining adamantane or haloadamantane with haloalkane or alkylmagnesium halide (Grignard reagent). For instance, it is possible to provide coupling between haloadamantane and haloalkane by use of indium (Reference 1). Alternatively, it is possible to convert haloalkane into an alkylcopper reagent and further to couple the reagent to Grignard reagent of an aromatic compound (Reference 2). Further, the coupling of haloalkane can also be performed using an appropriate arylboric acid and a palladium catalyst (Reference 3).

Reference 1: Tetrahedron Lett. 39, 9557-9558 (1998)

Reference 2: Tetrahedron Lett. 39, 2095-2096 (1998)

Reference 3: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124, 13662-13663 (2002)

The adamantane structure having an aryl group can be synthesized by appropriately combining adamantane or haloadamantane with the corresponding arene or haloarene.

Additionally, even when defined substituents undergo changes under certain synthesis conditions in those production methods or they are unsuitable for carrying out those methods, the intended compounds can be produced with ease by adopting e.g. methods for protecting and deprotecting functional groups (T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons Inc. (1981)). Further, it is also possible to change the order of reaction steps, including a substituent introduction step, as appropriate, if needed.

The thickness of the light emitting layer is not particularly limited but usually, the thickness is preferably from 1 to 500 nm, more preferably from 5 to 200 nm, still more preferably from 10 to 100 nm.

—Hole Injection Layer, Hole Transporting Layer—

The hole injection layer and the hole transporting layer are a layer having a function of receiving a hole from the anode or anode side and transporting it to the cathode side.

—Electron Injection Layer, Electron Transporting Layer—

The electron injection layer and the electron transporting layer are a layer having a function of receiving an electron from the cathode or cathode side and transporting it to the anode side.

As regards the hole injection layer, hole transporting layer, electron injection layer and electron transporting layer, the matters described in JP-A-2008-270736, paragraphs [0165] to [0167] can be applied to the present invention.

—Hole Blocking Layer—

The hole blocking layer is a layer having a function of blocking the holes transported from an anode side to the light emitting layer from passing on through to the cathode side. In the invention, the hole blocking layer can be provided as an organic layer adjacent to the light emitting layer in the cathode side.

Examples of an organic compound which forms the hole blocking layer include aluminum complexes such as aluminum(III) bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinato) 4-phenylphenolate (abbreviated to BAlq), triazole derivatives, and phenanthroline derivatives such as 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (abbreviated to BCP).

The thickness of the hole blocking layer is preferably from 1 nm to 500 nm, far preferably from 5 nm to 200 nm, further preferably from 10 nm to 100 nm.

The hole blocking layer may have either a single-layer structure made up of one or more than one material as recited above or a multiple-layer structure made up of two or more layers which are identical or different in composition.

—Electron Blocking Layer—

The electron blocking layer is a layer having a function of preventing the electrons transported from the cathode side to the light emitting layer from passing through to the anode side. In the invention, the electron blocking layer can be provided as an organic layer adjacent to the light emitting layer on the anode side.

As the examples of the compounds constituting the electron blocking layer, for instance, the hole transporting materials described above can be applied.

The thickness of the electron blocking layer is preferably from 1 nm to 500 nm, more preferably from 5 nm to 200 nm, still more preferably from 10 nm to 100 nm.

The electron blocking layer may have a single layer structure composed of one or more of the above materials or may be a multilayer structure composed of two or more layers having the same composition or different compositions.

<Protective Layer>

In the present invention, the entire organic EL device may be protected by a protective layer.

As for the protective layer, the matters described in JP-A-2008-270736, paragraphs [0169] and [0170] can be applied to the present invention.

<Sealing Enclosure>

The device of the present invention may be entirely sealed using a sealing container.

As for the sealing container, the matters described in JP-A-2008-270736, paragraph [0171] can be applied to the present invention.

[Film Formation Method]

The heating temperature at the time of film formation is preferably from 200° C. to 400° C., far preferably from 250° C. to 320° C.

The heating time is preferably from 0.1 hour to 350 hours, far preferably from 0.1 hour to 150 hours.

Luminescence of the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention can be obtained by applying a DC (if desired, an AC component may be contained) voltage (generally from 2 to 15 volts) or a DC current between the anode and the cathode.

As for the driving method of the organic electroluminescence device of the present invention, the driving methods described, for example, in JP-A-2-148687, JP-A-6-301355, JP-A-5-29080, JP-A-7-134558, JP-A-8-234685, JP-A-8-241047, Japanese Patent 2784615, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,828,429 and 6,023,308 can be applied.

The light collection efficiency of the luminescence device of the present invention can be enhanced by various known measures. For example, the light collection efficiency and the external quantum efficiency can be enhanced by processing the substrate surface shape (for example, forming a fine uneven pattern), by controlling the refractive index of the substrate, ITO layer or organic layer, or by controlling the film thickness of the substrate, ITO layer or organic layer.

The luminescence device of the present invention may be in a so-called top emission system of collecting light from the anode side.

The present organic EL devices may have resonator structure. For instance, each device has on a transparent substrate a multilayer film mirror made up of a plurality of laminated films that have different refractive indices, a transparent or translucent electrode, a light emitting layer and a metal electrode which are superposed on top of each other. Reflections of light produced in the light emitting layer occur repeatedly between the multilayer film mirror and the metal electrode which function as reflector plates, thereby producing resonance.

In another aspect, the transparent or translucent electrode and the metal electrode function as reflector plates, respectively, on the transparent substrate, and reflections of light produced in the light emitting layer occur repeatedly between the reflector plates, thereby producing resonance.

In order to form a resonance structure, the optical distance determined from effective refractive indices of the two reflector plates, and refractive indices and thicknesses of each layers sandwiched between the two reflector plates are adjusted to have optimum values for achieving the desired resonance wavelength. The calculating formula in the first aspect case is described in JP-A-9-180883, and that in the second aspect case is described in JP-A-2004-127795.

(Use of Luminescence Device of the Present Invention)

The present luminescence devices can be used suitably for light luminous apparatus, pixels, indication devices, displays, backlights, electrophotographic devices, illumination light sources, recording light sources, exposure light sources, readout light sources, sign, billboards, interior decorations or optical communications, especially preferably for devices driven in a region of high-intensity luminescence, such as illumination apparatus and display apparatus.

Next the present light luminous apparatus is explained by reference to FIG. 2.

The present light luminous apparatus incorporates any one of the present organic electroluminescence devices.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram schematically showing one example of the present light luminous apparatus.

The light luminous apparatus 20 in FIG. 2 includes a transparent substrate 2 (supporting substrate), an organic electroluminescence device 10, a sealing enclosure 16 and so on.

The organic electroluminescence device 10 is formed by stacking on the substrate 2 an anode 3 (first electrode), an organic layer 11 and a cathode 9 (second electrode) in the order of mention. In addition, a protective layer 12 is superposed on the cathode 9, and on the protective layer 12 a sealing enclosure 16 is further provided via an adhesive layer 14. Incidentally, part of each of the electrodes 3 and 9, a diaphragm and an insulating layer are omitted in FIG. 2.

Herein, a light cure adhesive such as epoxy resin, or a thermosetting adhesive can be used for the adhesive layer 14. Alternatively, a thermosetting adhesive sheet may be used as the adhesive layer 14.

The present light emission apparatus has no particular restrictions as to its uses, and specifically, it can be utilized e.g. as not only illumination apparatus but also display apparatus of a television set, a personal computer, a mobile phone, an electronic paper or the like.

The illumination apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below by referring to FIG. 3.

The illumination apparatus 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention contains, as shown in FIG. 3, the above-described organic electroluminescence device 10 and a light scattering member 30. More specifically, the illumination apparatus 40 is configured such that the substrate 2 of the organic electroluminescence device 10 and the light scattering member 30 are in contact with each other.

The light scattering member 30 is not particularly limited as long as it can scatter light, but in FIG. 3, a member obtained by dispersing fine particles 32 in a transparent substrate 31 is used. Suitable examples of the transparent substrate 31 include a glass substrate, and suitable examples of the fine particle 32 include a transparent resin fine particle. As the glass substrate and the transparent resin fine particle, a known product can be used for both. In such an illumination apparatus 40, when light emitted from the organic electroluminescence device 10 is incident on the light incident surface 30A of the scattering member 30, the incident light is scattered by the light scattering member and the scattered light is output as illuminating light from the light output surface 30B.

EXAMPLES

The invention will now be illustrated in further detail by reference to the following examples and comparative examples, but the invention should not be construed as being limited to the following examples in any way.

Synthesis Examples Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 1

Exemplified Compound 1 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 12).

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (2.6 ml, 4.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 10 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 1a (744 mg, 4 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (4 ml, 4 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the bromine-bridged complex 2a (2.57 g, 2 mmol) and 20 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing (12 hours) in boiling glycerol, a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.85 g of Exemplified Compound 1 (2.48 mmol, 62%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 1 had a purity of 99.5%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 7.2 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

In addition, Exemplified Compound 1 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 13) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (2.6 ml, 4.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 10 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 1a-Br (744 mg, 4 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (4 ml, 4 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the bromine-bridged complex 2a (2.57 g, 2 mmol) and 20 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing (12 hours) in boiling glycerol, a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 2.08 g of Exemplified Compound 1 (2.80 mmol, 70%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 1 had a purity of 99.2%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 9.2 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Further, Exemplified Compound 1 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 14) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (5.0 ml, 8 mmol) was added dropwise to 60 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 1a (1.49 g, 8 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dibutylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 2 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 507 mg of Exemplified Compound 1 (0.68 mmol, 34%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 1 had a purity of 99.2%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 2.3 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Furthermore, Exemplified Compound 1 was synthesized by the method disclosed in US 2006/0008670 [0134] (a traditional method). And in ICP optical emission spectroscopy, the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 1 was found to be below 1 ppm in both the content of Li and Li ion and the content of Mg and Mg ion.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 62

Exemplified Compound 62 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 6).

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (1.8 ml, 2.9 mmol) was added dropwise to 15 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 4a (903 mg, 2.8 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (3 ml, 2.8 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature. To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the bromine-bridged complex 5a (2.56 g, 1.4 mmol) and 15 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing (12 hours) in boiling glycerol, a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.64 g of Exemplified Compound 62 (1.43 mmol, 51%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 62 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 3.3 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, in CDCl₃): δ (ppm)=1.93 (s, 9H), 2.09 (s, 9H), 6.92 (s, 3H), 7.14-7.23 (m, 18H), 7.35 (t, 3H), 7.45 (t, 3H), 7.76 (d, J=7.6, 3H), 8.51 (d, J=8.2, 3H)

In addition, Exemplified Compound 62 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 7) also.

At room temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 25 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 4a-Br (2.01 g, 5 mmol) and 1,2-dichloroethane (0.40 ml, 0.5 mmol) was added dropwise to a suspension of magnesium (121 mg, 5 mmol) in 2.5 ml of dehydrated THF. The reaction solution was refluxed for 2 hours at its boiling temperature, thus a Grignard reagent solution was prepared. In a separate vessel, the bromine-bridged complex 5a (2.29 g, 1.25 mmol) was dissolved in 50 ml of dehydrated THF, and cooled to 0° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Thereto, the Grignard reagent prepared was added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour. After the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature, reflux at boiling temperature was carried out for 6 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was quenched with H₂O and alcohol, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing (12 hours) in boiling glycerol, a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.60 g of Exemplified Compound 62 (1.38 mmol, 55%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 62 had a purity of 99.4%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be below 1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be 6.5 ppm.

Further, Exemplified Compound 62 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 8) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.9 ml, 6.3 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 4a (1.93 g, 6 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a THF solution of tris(tetrahydrothiophene)iridium chloride (7 ml, 1.5 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 438 mg of Exemplified Compound 62 (0.38 mmol, 25%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 62 had a purity of 99.1%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 6.9 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Furthermore, Exemplified Compound 62 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (a method devised by reference to US 2006/0008670) too.

In an atmosphere of nitrogen, tris(acetylacetonato)iridium (587 mg, 1.2 mmol) was added to the compound 4a (1.93 g, 6 mmol), and these compounds were made to react with each other for 48 hours at 240° C. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 300 mg of Exemplified Compound 62 (0.26 mmol, 22%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 62 had a purity of 99.1%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be below 1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 63

Exemplified Compound 63 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 1).

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (1.3 ml, 2.1 mmol) was added dropwise to 10 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 7a (785 mg, 2 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (2 ml, 2 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature. To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, a bromine-bridged complex 8a (2.11 g, 1 mmol) and 10 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing (12 hours) in boiling glycerol, a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.53 g of Exemplified Compound 63 (1.12 mmol, 56%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 63 had a purity of 99.5%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 5.8 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

In addition, Exemplified Compound 63 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 2) also.

At room temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 20 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 7a-Br (1.88 g, 4 mmol) and 1,2-dichloroethane (0.32 ml, 0.4 mmol) was added dropwise to a suspension of magnesium (121 mg, 5 mmol) in 2 ml of dehydrated THF. The reaction solution was refluxed for 2 hours at its boiling temperature, thus a Grignard reagent solution was prepared. In a separate vessel, the bromine-bridged complex 8a (2.11 g, 1 mmol) was dissolved in 40 ml of dehydrated THF, and cooled to 0° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Thereto, the Grignard reagent prepared was added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour. After the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature, reflux at boiling temperature was carried out for 6 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was quenched with H₂O and alcohol, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.36 g of Exemplified Compound 63 (1.02 mmol, 51%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 63 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 5.2 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be 3.1 ppm.

Further, Exemplified Compound 63 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 3) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.9 ml, 6.3 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 7a (2.36 g, 6 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a THF solution of tris(tetrahydrothiophene)iridium chloride (7 ml, 1.5 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 533 mg of Exemplified Compound 63 (0.39 mmol, 27%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 63 had a purity of 99.1%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 5.1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Furthermore, Exemplified Compound 63 was also synthesized in accordance with a reaction scheme devised by reference to the method disclosed in US 2008/0297033, [0281] to [0287] (a traditional method). And in ICP optical emission spectroscopy, the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 63 was found to be below 1 ppm in both the content of Li and Li ion and the content of Mg and Mg ion.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 64

Exemplified Compound 64 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 4).

At a temperature of 0° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a THF solution of ethylmagnesium bromide (3.3 ml, 10 mmol) was added dropwise to 25 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 10a (1.44 g, 10 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes, thus a Grignard reagent solution was prepared. In a separate vessel, the chlorine-bridged complex 11a (2.68 g, 2.5 mmol) was dissolved in 75 ml of dehydrated THF, and cooled to 0° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Thereto, the Grignard reagent prepared was added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour. The temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature over 6 hours or more with stirring. The resulting reaction mixture was quenched with H₂O and alcohol, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 2.19 g of Exemplified Compound 64 (3.4 mmol, 68%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 64 had a purity of 99.1%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 3.1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be 6.3 ppm.

In addition, Exemplified Compound 64 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 5) also.

At room temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 50 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 10a-Br (2.23 g, 10 mmol) and 1,2-dichloroethane (0.79 ml, 1 mmol) was added dropwise to a suspension of magnesium (243 mg, 10 mmol) in 5 ml of dehydrated THF. The reaction solution was refluxed for 2 hours at its boiling temperature, thus a Grignard reagent solution was prepared. In a separate vessel, the chlorine-bridged complex 11a (2.68 g, 2.5 mmol) was dissolved in 75 ml of dehydrated THF, and cooled to 0° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Thereto, the Grignard reagent prepared was added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour. After the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature, reflux at boiling temperature was carried out for 6 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was quenched with H₂O and alcohol, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 2.45 g of Exemplified Compound 64 (3.8 mmol, 75%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 64 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 2.3 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be 6.5 ppm.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, in CDCl₃): δ (ppm)=6.36-6.38 (m, 1H), 6.76-6.92 (m, 12H), 7.20 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.50-7.60 (m, 2H), 7.60-7.65 (m, 4H), 7.83-7.88 (m, 2H), 7.98-7.99 (m, 1H).

Further, Exemplified Compound 64 was also synthesized by reference to the method described in Inorg. Chem., 2005, 44, 4445 to 4447 (a traditional method). And in ICP optical emission spectroscopy, the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 64 was found to be below 1 ppm in both the content of Li and Li ion and the content of Mg and Mg ion.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 3

Exemplified Compound 3 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.4 ml, 5.5 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 13a (1.12 g, 5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(diethylsulfide)platinum chloride (5 ml, 1.25 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 212 mg of Exemplified Compound 3 (0.44 mmol, 35%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 3 had a purity of 99.4%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 6.8 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, in CDCl₃): δ (ppm)=6.61 (dd, J=2.1, 2.6 Hz, 2H), 7.12-7.22 (m, 4H), 7.22-7.28 (m, 2H), 7.92 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 2H), 8.04 (d, J=2.6 Hz, 2H), 8.09-8.30 (m, 2H)

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 65

Exemplified Compound 65 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 25).

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.7 ml, 7.5 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 15a (1.60 g, 7.5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dodecylmethylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 1.88 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Then, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 282 mg of Exemplified Compound 65 (0.34 mmol, 18%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 65 had a purity of 99.4%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 6.9 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, in CDCl₃): δ (ppm)=0.32 (s, 18H), 7.13 (m, 2H), 7.49 (m, 2H), 7.73-7.97 (m, 4H), 8.51-8.73 (m, 2H)

In addition, Exemplified Compound 65 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 26) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.7 ml, 7.5 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 15a-Br (2.19 g, 7.5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dodecylmethylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 1.88 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Then, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 312 mg of Exemplified Compound 65 (0.38 mmol, 20%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 65 had a purity of 99.2%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 4.8 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 66

Exemplified Compound 66 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 9).

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.5 ml, 7.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 17a (1.32 g, 6.6 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (6.6 ml, 6.6 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature. To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 18a (2.50 g, 2 mmol) and 10 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing (12 hours) in boiling glycerol, a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.36 g of Exemplified Compound 66 (1.76 mmol, 44%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 66 had a purity of 99.5%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 5.1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, in CDCl₃): δ (ppm)=0.68 (t, 9H), 1.06-1.22 (m, 3H), 1.27-1.41 (m, 3H), 1.80-1.92 (m, 3H), 2.12-2.24 (m, 3H), 4.15 (s, 9H), 6.61 (d, J=7, 4 Hz, 3H), 6.74-6.82 (m, 3H), 6.83-6.91 (m, 3H), 7.51 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 3H)

Alternatively, Exemplified Compound 66 can also be synthesized by using Synthesis Method (2) or (3).

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 66

In addition, Exemplified Compound 66 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 10) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.5 ml, 7.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 17a-Br (1.85 g, 6.6 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (6.6 ml, 6.6 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature. To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 18a (2.50 g, 2 mmol) and 10 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing (12 hours) in boiling glycerol, a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.55 g of Exemplified Compound 66 (2.00 mmol, 50%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 66 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 5.1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 66

Further, Exemplified Compound 66 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 11) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.7 ml, 7.5 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 17a (1.51 g, 7.5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dodecylmethylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 1.88 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 450 mg of Exemplified Compound 66 (0.58 mmol, 31%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 66 had a purity of 99.2%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 3.5 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Furthermore, Exemplified Compound 66 was also synthesized by reference to the method described in Chem. Mater., 2006, 18, 5119-5129, [0281] to [0282] (a traditional method). And in ICP optical emission spectroscopy, the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 66 was found to be below 1 ppm in both the content of Li and Li ion and the content of Mg and Mg ion.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 220

Exemplified Compound 220 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.3 ml, 5.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 13 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 19a (1.41 g, 5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (5 ml, 5 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 20a (3.04 g, 2.5 mmol) and 25 ml of dehydrated THF were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 2.05 g of Exemplified Compound 220 (2.40 mmol, 45%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 220 had a purity of 99.1%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 8.3 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 855.2 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₃₇H₂₈F₇IrN₄: C, 52.05; H, 3.31; N, 6.56. Found: C, 52.3; H, 3.41; N, 6.45.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 220

In addition, Exemplified Compound 220 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.3 ml, 5.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 13 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 19a-I (2.04 g, 5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (5 ml, 5 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 20a (3.04 g, 2.5 mmol) and 25 ml of dehydrated THF were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 2.17 g of Exemplified Compound 220 (2.55 mmol, 51%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 220 had a purity of 99.2%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 6.1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 221

Exemplified Compound 221 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.3 ml, 5.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 13 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 21a (1.26 g, 5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (5 ml, 5 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 22a (3.05 g, 2.5 mmol) and 25 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 3 hours at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.45 g of Exemplified Compound 221 (1.80 mmol, 36%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 221 had a purity of 99.2%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 9.1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 809.2 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₃₆H₂₃F₄IrN₆: C, 53.53; H, 2.87; N, 10.40. Found: C, 53.4; H, 2.92; N, 10.2.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 221

In addition, Exemplified Compound 221 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of tert-BuLi (6.7 ml, 10 mmol) was added dropwise to 13 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 21a-Br (1.66 g, 5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (5 ml, 5 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 22a (3.05 g, 2.5 mmol) and 25 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 3 hours at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.61 g of Exemplified Compound 221 (2.00 mmol, 40%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 221 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 4.4 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 222

Exemplified Compound 222 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.8 ml, 6 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 23a (1.60 g, 6 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(diethylsulfide)iridium chloride (12 ml, 1.5 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Then, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 277 mg of Exemplified Compound 222 (0.48 mmol, 32%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 222 had a purity of 99.5%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 6.6 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 869.2 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₄₂H₃₀F₃IrN₆: C, 58.12; H, 3.48; N, 9.68. Found: C, 58.0; H, 3.53; N, 9.53.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 222

In addition, Exemplified Compound 222 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of tert-BuLi (8.0 ml, 12 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 23a-Br (1.82 g, 6 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(diethylsulfide)iridium chloride (12 ml, 1.5 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Then, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 303 mg of Exemplified Compound 222 (0.53 mmol, 35%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 222 had a purity of 99.2%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 5.6 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 222

Further, Exemplified Compound 222 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.5 ml, 7.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 23a (1.49 g, 6.6 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (6.6 ml, 6.6 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature. To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 00a (4.48 g, 3.3 mmol) and 20 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 3.37 g of Exemplified Compound 222 (3.89 mmol, 59%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 222 had a purity of 99.4%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 6.6 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 222

Furthermore, Exemplified Compound 222 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.5 ml, 7.2 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 23a-Br (2.01 g, 6.6 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (6.6 ml, 6.6 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature. To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 00a (4.48 g, 3.3 mmol) and 20 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 3.60 g of Exemplified Compound 222 (3.89 mmol, 63%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 222 had a purity of 99.5%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 5.7 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 223

Exemplified Compound 223 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.4 ml, 7 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 24a (2.41 g, 7 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dodecylmethylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 1.75 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Then, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 795 mg of Exemplified Compound 223 (0.65 mmol, 37%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 223 had a purity of 99.2%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 7.8 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 1223.4 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₆₀H₅₄F₉IrN₆: C, 58.96; H, 4.45; N, 6.88. Found: C, 59.0; H, 3.45; N, 6.78.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 223

In addition, Exemplified Compound 223 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.4 ml, 7 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 24a-Br (2.96 g, 7 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dodecylmethylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 1.75 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Then, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. After the reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 856 mg of Exemplified Compound 223 (0.70 mmol, 40%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 223 had a purity of 99.5%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 2.8 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 223

Further, Exemplified Compound 223 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.6 ml, 5.7 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 24a (1.79 g, 5.2 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (5.2 ml, 5.2 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature. To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 01a (4.75 g, 2.6 mmol) and 20 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 3.06 g of Exemplified Compound 223 (2.50 mmol, 48%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 223 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 9.7 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 223

Furthermore, Exemplified Compound 223 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (3.6 ml, 5.7 mmol) was added dropwise to 30 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 24a-Br (2.20 g, 5.2 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (5.2 ml, 5.2 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature. To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the chlorine-bridged complex 01a (4.75 g, 2.6 mmol) and 20 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 1 hour at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After isomerization and subsequent washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 3.37 g of Exemplified Compound 223 (2.76 mmol, 53%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 223 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 9.7 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 224

Exemplified Compound 224 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 27).

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.7 ml, 7.5 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 25a (1.51 g, 7.5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dodecylmethylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 1.88 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. The reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, and then extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 492 mg of Exemplified Compound 224 (0.62 mmol, 33%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 224 had a purity of 99.4%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 7.5 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 794.3 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₃₆H₄₂IrN₉: C, 54.53; H, 5.34; N, 15.90. Found: C, 54.1; H, 5.52; N, 15.7.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 224

In addition, Exemplified Compound 224 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 28) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.7 ml, 7.5 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 25a-Br (2.10 g, 7.5 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dodecylmethylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 1.88 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. The reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, and then extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 522 mg of Exemplified Compound 224 (0.66 mmol, 35%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 224 had a purity of 99.4%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 7.5 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 225

Exemplified Compound 225 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 15).

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.4 ml, 7 mmol) was added dropwise to 17 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 26a (1.88 g, 6.4 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (6.4 ml, 6.4 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the bromine-bridged complex 27a (4.61 g, 3.2 mmol) and 40 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 3 hours at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 2.93 g of Exemplified Compound 225 (3.39 mmol, 53%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 225 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 8.2 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 1070.2 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₄₈H₄₅F₉IrN₆: C, 54.3; H, 4.22; N, 7.76. Found: C, 53.9; H, 4.24; N, 7.86.

In addition, Exemplified Compound 225 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 16) also.

Under a temperature of −78° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.4 ml, 7 mmol) was added dropwise to 17 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 26a-Br (2.39 g, 6.4 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (6.4 ml, 6.4 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the bromine-bridged complex 27a (4.61 g, 3.2 mmol) and 40 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 3 hours at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 3.27 g of Exemplified Compound 225 (3.78 mmol, 59%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 225 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 7.5 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Further, Exemplified Compound 225 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 17) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (4.8 ml, 7.7 mmol) was added dropwise to 50 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 26a (2.06 g, 7 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(dodecylmethylsulfide)iridium chloride (15 ml, 1.75 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. The reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, and then extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 459 mg of Exemplified Compound 225 (0.53 mmol, 30%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 225 had a purity of 99.2%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 5.5 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Furthermore, Exemplified Compound 225 was also synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme devised by reference to the descriptions in JP-A-2009-21336, [0117] and [0122] (a traditional method).

In 5 ml of glycerol under an atmosphere of nitrogen, the compound 26a (706 mg, 2.4 mmol) and the bromine-bridged complex 27a (1.72 g, 1.2 mmol) were heated at 200° C. with stirring for 8 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 1.04 g of Exemplified Compound 225 (1.20 mmol, 50%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 225 had a purity of 99.3%. Further, it was found in ICP optical emission spectroscopy that the content of Li and Li ion was below 1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was also below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 226

Exemplified Compound 226 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 18).

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (2.8 ml, 4.4 mmol) was added dropwise to 12 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 28a (1.32 g, 4.0 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (4.0 ml, 4.0 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the bromine-bridged complex 29a (3.72 g, 2.0 mmol) and 30 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 3 hours at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.01 g of Exemplified Compound 226 (0.86 mmol, 43%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 226 had a purity of 99.1%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 9.8 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 1181.2 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₅₇H₄₈F₉IrN₆: C, 58.01; H, 4.10; N, 7.12. Found: C, 57.8; H, 7.32; N, 7.05.

In addition, Exemplified Compound 226 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 19) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (2.8 ml, 4.4 mmol) was added dropwise to 12 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 28a (1.32 g, 4.0 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of anhydrous zinc(II) chloride (4.0 ml, 4.0 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirring was continued until the temperature of the reaction solution was restored to room temperature.

To the reaction solution containing the zinc complex, the bromine-bridged complex 29a (3.72 g, 2.0 mmol) and 30 ml of dehydrated dichloromethane were added. And the resulting mixture was refluxed for 3 hours at its boiling temperature. The thus obtained reaction mixture was allowed to stand for cooling, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.08 g of Exemplified Compound 226 (0.92 mmol, 46%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 226 had a purity of 99.4%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 7.5 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Further, Exemplified Compound 226 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 20) also.

At a temperature of −78° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a pentane solution of n-BuLi (5.5 ml, 8.8 mmol) was added dropwise to 60 ml of a dehydrated diethyl ether solution of the compound 28a-Br (3.27 g, 8 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes. Thereto, a diethyl ether solution of tris(ethylhexylsulfide)iridium chloride (18 ml, 2 mmol) was further added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour at −78° C. Thereafter, stirring was further continued for 6 hours or more until the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature. The reaction mixture was quenched with dilute hydrochloric acid, and then extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure were carried out in sequence. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 614 mg of Exemplified Compound 226 (0.52 mmol, 26%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 226 had a purity of 99.5%. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be 2.5 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be below 1 ppm.

Furthermore, Exemplified Compound 226 was also synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme devised by reference to the method disclosed in WO 2006/126389, [0103] and [0113] (a traditional method).

In 6 ml of glycerol under an atmosphere of nitrogen, the compound 28a (991 mg, 3.0 mmol) and the bromine-bridged complex 29a (2.79 g, 1.5 mmol) were heated at 220° C. with stirring for 8 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. The thus obtained reaction product was purified by column chromatography (developing solvent: dichloromethane), and recrystallized from a dichloromethane solution. Thus, 1.45 g of Exemplified Compound 226 (1.23 mmol, 41%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 226 had a purity of 99.7%. Further, it was found in ICP optical emission spectroscopy that the content of Li and Li ion was below 1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was also below 1 ppm.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 227

Exemplified Compound 227 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 21).

At a temperature of 0° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a THF solution of ethylmagnesium bromide (2.0 ml, 6.00 mmol) was added dropwise to 20 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 30a (1.41 g, 6.00 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes, thus a Grignard reagent solution was prepared. In a separate vessel, the chlorine-bridged complex 31a (2.08 g, 1.5 mmol) was dissolved in 70 ml of dehydrated THF, and cooled to 0° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Thereto, the Grignard reagent prepared was added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour. The temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature over 6 hours or more with stirring. The resulting reaction mixture was quenched with H₂O and alcohol, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.42 g of Exemplified Compound 227 (1.59 mmol, 53%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 227 had a purity of 99.3%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to below 1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be 9.6 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 893.3 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₄₈H₃₉IrN₆: C, 64.63; H, 4.41; N, 9.42. Found: C, 64.8; H, 4.51; N, 9.50.

In addition, Exemplified Compound 227 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 22) also.

At room temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 30 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 30a-Br (1.88 g, 6.00 mmol) and 1,2-dichloroethane (0.24 ml, 0.30 mmol) was added dropwise to a suspension of magnesium (146 mg, 6 mmol) in 5 ml of dehydrated THF. The reaction solution was refluxed for 2 hours at its boiling temperature, thus a Grignard reagent solution was prepared. In a separate vessel, the chlorine-bridged complex 31a (2.08 g, 1.5 mmol) was dissolved in 60 ml of dehydrated THF, and cooled to 0° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Thereto, the Grignard reagent prepared was added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour. After the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature, reflux at boiling temperature was carried out for 6 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was quenched with H₂O and alcohol, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered of, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.58 g of Exemplified Compound 227 (3.8 mmol, 59%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 227 had a purity of 99.5%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be below 1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be 2.3 ppm.

Further, Exemplified Compound 227 was also synthesized in accordance with the following scheme devised by reference to the descriptions in JP-A-2007-51243, [0064] and [0070] to [0073] (a traditional method).

Thus, Exemplified Compound 227 was obtained in a 45% yield. And the purity of Exemplified Compound 227 thus obtained was found to be 99.4% by HPLC. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy, the compound obtained was found to be below 1 ppm in both the content of Li and Li ion and the content of Mg and Mg ion.

Synthesis of Exemplified Compound 228

Exemplified Compound 228 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 23).

At a temperature of 0° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen, a THF solution of ethylmagnesium bromide (2.3 ml, 7.00 mmol) was added dropwise to 20 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 32a (1.26 g, 7.00 mmol), and stirred for 30 minutes, thus a Grignard reagent solution was prepared. In a separate vessel, the chlorine-bridged complex 33a (1.87 g, 1.75 mmol) was dissolved in 80 ml of dehydrated THF, and cooled to 0° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Thereto, the Grignard reagent prepared was added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour. The temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature over 6 hours or more with stirring. The resulting reaction mixture was quenched with H₂O and alcohol, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.22 g of Exemplified Compound 228 (1.79 mmol, 51%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 228 had a purity of 99.5%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to below 1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be 6.6 ppm.

MS (ESI, m/z) 681.1 (MH⁺). Anal. Calcd. for C₃₁H₂₁F₂IrN₄: C, 54.78; H, 3.11; N, 8.24. Found: C, 54.8; H, 3.31; N, 8.33.

In addition, Exemplified Compound 228 was synthesized in accordance with the following reaction scheme (Synthesis Method 24) also.

At room temperature under an atmosphere of nitrogen, 35 ml of a dehydrated THF solution of the compound 32a-Br (1.81 g, 7.00 mmol) and 1,2-dichloroethane (0.24 ml, 0.30 mmol) was added dropwise to a suspension of magnesium (191 mg, 7 mmol) in 5 ml of dehydrated THF. The reaction solution was refluxed for 2 hours at its boiling temperature, thus a Grignard reagent solution was prepared. In a separate vessel, the chlorine-bridged complex 33a (1.87 g, 1.75 mmol) was dissolved in 60 ml of dehydrated THF, and cooled to 0° C. in an atmosphere of nitrogen. Thereto, the Grignard reagent prepared was added dropwise, and stirred for 1 hour. After the temperature of the reaction mixture was restored to room temperature, reflux at boiling temperature was carried out for 6 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was quenched with H₂O and alcohol, and then subjected successively to extraction with dichloromethane, washing with water, drying with MgSO₄ and removal of the solvent under reduced pressure. After washing in boiling glycerol (12 hours), a precipitate formed was filtered off, dissolved in dichloromethane, and purified by recrystallization. Thus, 1.38 g of Exemplified Compound 228 (2.03 mmol, 58%) was obtained. And it was found by HPLC that the thus obtained Exemplified Compound 228 had a purity of 99.7%. In addition, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy of the compound obtained, the content of Li and Li ion was found to be below 1 ppm and the content of Mg and Mg ion was found to be 3.1 ppm.

Further, Exemplified Compound 228 was synthesized by reference to the method described in Inorg. Chem., 2005, 44, 4445-4447 (a traditional method), and the yield thereof was 45%. The purity of the compound obtained was found to be 99.5% by HPLC. Further, in ICP optical emission spectroscopy, the compound obtained was found to be below 1 ppm in both the content of Li and Li ion and the content of Mg and Mg ion.

Compounds used in Examples according to the invention are illustrated below.

EXAMPLES Example 1-1

An indium tin oxide (ITO) film-coated glass substrate having an area of 2.5 square centimeters and a thickness of 0.5 mm (made by GEOMATEC Corporation, surface resistivity: 10 Ω/sq) was placed in a cleaning vessel and subjected to ultrasonic cleaning in 2-propanol, and the thus cleaned substrate is further subjected to UV-ozone treatment of 30 minutes. Onto this transparent anode (ITO film), the following organic layers (organic compound layers) were evaporated in sequence by using a vacuum evaporation method.

The evaporation speed in each of Examples relating to the invention was 0.2 nm/sec unless otherwise specified. Evaporation speed measurements were made with a quartz resonator. And the following film thicknesses were also measured with a quartz resonator.

The ITO substrate cleaned in the foregoing manner was placed in a vacuum evaporator, and copper phthalocyanine was evaporated onto this substrate in the form of a 10 nm-thick film (first layer). Onto the first layer, NPD [(N,N′-di-α-naphthyl-N,N′-diphenyl)-benzidine] was evaporated in the form of a 40 nm-thick film (second layer). Onto the second layer, H-1 and the Exemplified Compound 63 synthesized in accordance with one of the present reaction schemes were evaporated at a ratio of 95:5 (by mass) in the form of a 30 nm-thick film (third layer/light emitting layer). Onto the third layer, BAlq [bis(2-methyl-8-quinolato)-4-phenylphenolatoaluminum] was evaporated in the form of a 40 nm-thick film (fourth layer). Onto the fourth layer, a 3 nm-thick film of lithium fluoride and a 60 nm-thick film of aluminum were evaporated in the order of mention. The thus formed laminate was placed in a glove box having undergone argon gas displacement without exposure to the air, and sealed by means of a sealing can made of stainless steel and a UV cure adhesive (XNR5516HV, produced by Nagase-Chiba, Ltd.), thereby making an organic EL Device of Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence from the present Exemplified Compound 63 was produced.

Examples 1-2 and 1-3, and Comparative Example 1-1

Devices of Examples 1-2 and 1-3 and a device of Comparative Example 1-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 1-1, except that the method used for preparing Exemplified Compound 63 in Example 1-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 1, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

<Measurement of Drive Voltage>

Each of the organic EL devices made in Examples 1-1 to 1-3 and Comparative Example 1-1, respectively, was mounted in an emission spectrum measuring system made by Shimadzu Corporation (ELS-1500), and thereon measurement of an impressed voltage at which the emission spectral intensity of each device reached 1,000 cd/m² was made.

<Evaluation of Drive Durability>

Each of the organic EL devices made in Examples 1-1 to 1-3 and Comparative Example 1-1, respectively, was mounted in an OLED Test System Model STD made by Tokyo System Development Co., Ltd., and made to drive in a constant-current mode under a condition of attaining an initial luminance of 1,000 cd/m². Under such drive, time taken to reduce the luminance in half to 500 cd/m² was determined.

<Evaluation of External Quantum Efficiency>

Each of the organic EL devices made in Examples 1-1 to 1-3 and Comparative Example 1-1, respectively, was made to produce luminescence by applying thereto a direct-current constant voltage through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation. The external quantum efficiency (%) was calculated from the frontal luminance at 1,000 cd/m².

TABLE 1 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 63) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 1-1 Synthesis Method 1 12.3 5.8 100 Example 1-2 Synthesis Method 2 12.5 5.7 65 Example 1-3 Synthesis Method 3 12.3 5.8 84 Comparative Method disclosed in US 12.4 5.8 53 Example 1-1 2008/0297033, [0281] to [0287]

As is clear from comparisons of Examples 1-1 to 1-3 and Comparative Example 1-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 1-1 being taken as 100.

Example 2-1

An organic EL device of Example 2-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 64 obtained as a light emitting material by Synthesis Method 4 was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in the Exemplified Compound 64 was produced.

Example 2-2 and Comparative Example 2-1

Devices of Example 2-2 and Comparative Example 2-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 2-1, except that the method used for preparing Exemplified Compound 64 in Example 2-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 2, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 2 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 64) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 2-1 Synthesis Method 4 11.5 5.7 100 Example 2-2 Synthesis Method 5 11.8 5.9 72 Comparative Method described in 11.6 5.8 58 Example 2-1 Inorg. Chem., 2005, 44, 4445-4447

As is clear from comparison of Examples 2-1 to 2-2 and Comparative Example 2-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 2-1 being taken as 100.

Example 3-1

An organic EL device of Example 3-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 62 obtained as a light emitting material by Synthesis Method 6 was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in the Exemplified Compound 62 was produced.

Examples 3-2 to 3-3 and Comparative Example 3-1

Devices of Examples 3-2 to 3-3 and Comparative Example 3-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 3-1, except that the method of preparing Exemplified Compound 62 used in Example 3-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 3, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 3 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 62) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 3-1 Synthesis Method 6 10.8 4.5 100 Example 3-2 Synthesis Method 7 10.7 4.5 75 Example 3-3 Synthesis Method 8 10.6 4.6 89 Comparative Synthesis Method A 10.8 4.5 61 Example 3-1 (Method devised by reference to US 2008/0297033)

As is clear from comparisons of Examples 3-1 to 3-3 and Comparative Example 3-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 3-1 being taken as 100.

Example 4-1

An organic EL device of Example 4-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 66 obtained as a light emitting material by Synthesis Method 9 was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in the Exemplified Compound 66 was produced.

Examples 4-2 to 4-3 and Comparative Example 4-1

Devices of Examples 4-2 to 4-3 and Comparative Example 4-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 4-1, except that the method used for preparing Exemplified Compound 66 in Example 4-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 4, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 4 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 66) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 4-1 Synthesis Method 9 9.5 6.6 100 Example 4-2 Synthesis Method 10 9.5 6.5 68 Example 4-3 Synthesis Method 11 9.6 6.6 82 Comparative Method described in 9.7 6.5 41 Example 4-1 Chem. Mater., 2006, 18, 5119-5129

As is clear from comparisons of Examples 4-1 to 4-3 and Comparative Example 4-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 4-1 being taken as 100.

Example 5-1

An organic EL device of Example 5-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 1 obtained as a light emitting material by Synthesis Method 12 was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in Exemplified Compound 1 was produced.

Examples 5-2 to 5-3 and Comparative Example 5-1

Devices of Examples 5-2 to 5-3 and Comparative Example 5-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 5-1, except that the method used for preparing Exemplified Compound 1 in Example 5-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 5, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 5 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 1) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 5-1 Synthesis Method 12 8.9 7.3 100 Example 5-2 Synthesis Method 13 8.8 7.4 71 Example 5-3 Synthesis Method 14 8.7 7.3 92 Comparative Method disclosed in US 8.8 7.2 55 Example 5-1 2006/0008670 [0134]

As is clear from comparisons of Examples 5-1 to 5-3 and Comparative Example 5-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 5-1 being taken as 100.

Example 6-1

An organic EL device of Example 6-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 225 obtained as a light emitting material by Synthesis Method 15 was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in the Exemplified Compound 225 was produced.

Examples 6-2 to 6-3 and Comparative Example 6-1

Devices of Examples 6-2 to 6-3 and Comparative Example 6-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 6-1, except that the method used for preparing Exemplified Compound 225 in Example 6-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 6, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 6 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 225) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 6-1 Synthesis Method 15 9.9 5.1 100 Example 6-2 Synthesis Method 16 9.9 5.0 67 Example 6-3 Synthesis Method 17 9.7 5.0 88 Comparative Method disclosed in 9.8 4.9 44 Example 6-1 JP-A-2009-21336

As is clear from comparisons of Examples 6-1 to 6-3 and Comparative Example 6-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 6-1 being taken as 100.

Example 7-1

An organic EL device of Example 7-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 226 obtained as a light emitting material by Synthesis Method 15 was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in the Exemplified Compound 226 was produced.

Examples 7-2 to 7-3 and Comparative Example 7-1

Devices of Examples 7-2 to 7-3 and Comparative Example 7-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 7-1, except that the method used for preparing Exemplified Compound 226 in Example 7-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 7, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 7 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 226) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 7-1 Synthesis Method 18 10.3 6.2 100 Example 7-2 Synthesis Method 19 10.2 6.3 77 Example 7-3 Synthesis Method 20 10.4 6.1 93 Comparative Method disclosed in WO 10.2 6.2 63 Example 7-1 2006/126389

As is clear from comparisons of Examples 7-1 to 7-3 and Comparative Example 7-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 7-1 being taken as 100.

Example 8-1

An organic EL device of Example 8-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 227 as a light emitting material was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in Exemplified Compound 227 was produced.

Example 8-2 and Comparative Example 8-1

Devices of Example 8-2 and Comparative Example 8-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 8-1, except that the method used for preparing Exemplified Compound 227 in Example 8-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 8, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 8 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 227) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 8-1 Synthesis Method 21 11.4 4.5 100 Example 8-2 Synthesis Method 22 11.2 4.6 86 Comparative Method disclosed in 11.2 4.6 55 Example 8-1 JP-A-2007-51243

As is clear from comparisons of Examples 8-1 to 8-2 and Comparative Example 8-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 8-1 being taken as 100.

Example 9-1

An organic EL device of Example 9-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 228 obtained as a light emitting material by Synthesis Method 23 was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in the Exemplified Compound 228 was produced.

Example 9-2 and Comparative Example 9-1

Devices of Example 9-2 and Comparative Example 9-1 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 9-1, except that the method used for preparing Exemplified Compound 228 in Example 9-1 was changed to the methods entered in Table 9, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 9 Method of forming light Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance emitting material (V) at 1,000 efficiency (%) time at 1,000 cd/m² (Exemplified Compound 228) cd/m² at 1,000 cd/m² (relative value) Example 9-1 Synthesis Method 23 9.9 6.4 100 Example 9-2 Synthesis Method 24 9.9 6.6 89 Comparative Method described in 9.8 6.5 58 Example 9-1 Inorg. Chem., 2005, 44, 4445-4447

As is clear from comparisons of Examples 9-1 to 9-2 and Comparative Example 9-1, improvements in durability were achieved by using the light emitting material prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 9-1 being taken as 100.

Example 10-1

An organic EL device of Example 10-1 was made in the same manner as in Example 1-1, except that the Exemplified Compound 65 obtained as a light emitting material by Synthesis Method 25 was evaporated into film (thickness: 50 nm) in place of the Exemplified Compound 63 used in Example 1-1. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to this device through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby luminescence originating in the Exemplified Compound 65 was produced.

Examples 10-2 to 10-4

Devices of Examples 10-2 to 10-4 were made in the same manner as the device of Example 10-1, except that the light emitting material and its preparation method used in Example 10-1 were changed to those entered in Table 10, respectively. A direct-current constant voltage was applied to these devices, respectively, through the use of Source Measure Unit 2400 made by TOYO Corporation, and thereby the devices produced luminescence in colors originating in the light emitting materials incorporated, respectively.

TABLE 10 Light emitting Drive voltage External quantum Half luminance material and (V) at 360 efficiency (%) time at 360 cd/m² preparation method cd/m² at 360 cd/m² (relative value) Example 10-1 Exemplified Compound 65 9.6 4.4 100 (Synthesis Method 25) Example 10-2 Exemplified Compound 65 9.5 4.6 79 (Synthesis Method 26) Example 10-3 Exemplified Compound 224 10.3 5.2 187 (Synthesis Method 27) Example 10-4 Exemplified Compound 224 10.3 5.3 165 (Synthesis Method 28)

As is clear from Examples 10-1 to 10-4, luminescence was produced by using the light emitting materials prepared in accordance with the present methods. Additionally, the time taken to reduce by half the luminance was expressed in relative value, with Example 10-1 being taken as 100.

While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of forming a compound having a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic 5-membered ring as a partial structure of a ligand through the use of metal-metal exchange reaction, wherein the compound is represented by the following formula (3) and formed by allowing a compound represented by the following formula (3a) to react with a compound represented by the following formula (3b):

wherein Q represents an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, an alkaline earth metal halide, a trialkyltin, zinc or a zinc halide, which each may further have an arbitrary organic group as a substituent; R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ have the same meanings as R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ in the formula (3), respectively; [L³¹ _(k)M³¹(μ−Y)]₂  (3b) wherein Y is F, Cl, Br, I, OR³³, R³³COO, SR³³ or N(R³³)₂; each of R³³s is independently a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon group; k is 2 when M³¹ is Ir, while k is 1 when M³¹ is Pt; L³¹ and M³¹ have the same meanings as L³¹ and M³¹ in the formula (3), respectively;

wherein M³¹ represents Ir or Pt; R³¹ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R³¹ may be the same as or different from every other R³¹; each of B³¹ to B³⁷ independently represents a nitrogen atom or C-R³², R³² represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent and each R³² may be the same as or different from every other R³²; L³¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted phenylpyridine, phenylimidazole, pyridylimidazole, phenyltriazole, phenyltetrazole, pyridiylpyridine, imidazolylpyridine, pyrazolylpyridine or triazolylpyridine; or L³¹ is a bidentate ligand that, together with M³¹, forms a coordinate bond via its nitrogen atom, and one of its oxygen or nitrogen atoms and M³¹ form a covalent bond; and n represents an integer of 1 and m represents an integer of 1 to 2, provided that n+m is 2 or
 3. 2. The forming method according to claim 1, wherein the compound represented by the formula (3a) is a compound prepared by reaction between a compound represented by the following formula (3c) and at least one reactant selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, organolithium compounds, alkaline earth metals and alkylmagnesium halides;

wherein R³¹ and B³¹ to B³⁷ have the same meanings as R³¹and B³¹ to B³⁷ in the formula (3a), respectively.
 3. A compound formed by the forming method according to claim
 1. 4. An organic electroluminescence device material, which is a compound formed by the forming method according to claim 1, wherein the compound has a Li atom and ion content of 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm.
 5. An organic electroluminescence device material, which is a compound formed by the forming method according to claim 1, wherein the compound has an Mg atom and ion content of 0.1 ppm to 50 ppm.
 6. An organic electroluminescence device material, which is a compound formed by the forming method according to claim 1, wherein L³¹ has a structure selected from the following structures (L^(a)), (L^(b)), (L^(d)), (L^(e)), and (L^(f)):

wherein each of R¹⁴ independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; each R¹⁴ may be the same or different from every other R¹⁴; each of R¹⁵ represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; neighboring R¹⁴ s may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring; and neighboring R¹⁴ and R¹⁵s may combine with each other and complete a condensed ring. 